Instagram Engagement Is Changing in 2026: Benchmarks Explained by Social Media Strategists

In this live session, we break down the latest Instagram benchmark data and discuss what it really means for social media strategists in 2026. Engagement is down. Reach is up. Carousels outperform Reels in many cases. So the big question is: What should marketers actually change in their Instagram strategy? If you're feeling pressure to “do more” on Instagram, this conversation is for you. Joining this session: ⚡ Kyle McCall — Social Media Strategist ⚡ Courtney Coleman — Social Media Strategist ⚡ Chloe Maguire — Brand & Social Media Lead at Leapsome - Hosted by Socialinsider. We cover the biggest shifts in Instagram performance, how engagement signals are changing, and what social media leaders should focus on now. 📊 Read the full report: https://www.socialinsider.io/social-media-benchmarks/instagram What you'll learn: 00:00 Instagram benchmark overview 02:05 Is Instagram getting harder for brands? 06:40 Views vs engagement — what matters now 10:00 Why carousels outperform Reels 15:45 Saves, shares & passive engagement 22:10 What metrics marketers should track in 2026 29:30 What brands should change in their strategy 36:20 Q&A & final insights 📊 Key 2026 Instagram Benchmarks Stats Covered 👉🏼 Engagement rate dropped year over year 👉🏼 Carousels generate higher engagement than Reels in many industries 👉🏼 Saves and shares are stronger signals than likes 👉🏼 Reach is increasing while comments decrease 👉🏼 Posting more does not always mean better performance 🔔 Subscribe for more data-driven social media insights: https://www.socialinsider.io/newsletter-subscribe 📥 Download the full benchmark report here: https://www.socialinsider.io/social-media-benchmarks/instagram 💬 Let us know in the comments: Are you seeing passive engagement in your data? #socialmediabenchmarks #socialmediamarketing #tiktokmarketing #instagrammarketing #digitalmarketing #socialmediastrategy #engagementrate #marketinganalytics