Let me say this out loud because someone needs to hear it: Instagram is not broken. Your strategy might be.
Every week on Coffee with Carrie, I talk to real estate agents and business owners who are exhausted. They’re posting consistently. They’re using hashtags. They’re even dabbling in Reels. And yet… no leads. No DMs. No appointments. Just views and frustration.
Here’s the hard truth heading into 2026: posting without a plan is a hobby, not lead generation.
What’s Actually Changed (and Why It Matters)
Instagram in 2026 is not about pretty squares or hoping to go viral. It’s about visibility, clarity, and conversion.
The platform is telling us exactly what it wants:
- More video
- More original content
- More watch time
- More human connection
Translation: if you’re still hiding behind graphics, stock photos, or “just listed” posts, you’re invisible. Instagram doesn’t reward safe. It rewards showing up.
Video Isn’t a Trend — It’s the Toll Booth
You don’t have to love video. You don’t have to be perfect on camera. But if you want leads in 2026, video is the price of admission.
Why this works:
- Video builds trust faster than text
- Video answers questions before people ever DM you
- Video positions you as the expert without you having to say it
People don’t hire the best caption writer. They hire the person they feel like they already know. Video does that work for you.
And no, this doesn’t mean dancing or pointing at text bubbles. It means talking like a real human about real problems your clients already care about.
Likes Don’t Pay You — Leads Do
Engagement is not the goal. Conversion is.
In 2026, your Instagram content should answer three questions:
- Who is this for?
- What problem does this solve?
- What should they do next?
If your content doesn’t naturally lead someone to DM you, book a call, download something, or ask a question, it’s just noise.
You don’t need more followers. You need the right people paying attention.
What Actually Works Now
Here’s what is generating leads right now:
- Short-form video with clear opinions
- Educational content that simplifies confusing topics
- Repetition (because most people didn’t see it the first time)
- Clear calls to action that tell people exactly what to do
Consistency matters, but clarity matters more. If someone lands on your profile and can’t immediately tell who you help and how, they’re gone.
Stop Waiting. Start Positioning.
If you’re waiting for Instagram to settle down, it won’t. Platforms evolve. Strategies shift. The people who win are the ones who adjust early instead of complaining late.
2026 isn’t about doing more.
It’s about doing what works on purpose.
Before you blame the algorithm, ask yourself:
- Am I visible?
- Am I clear?
- Am I giving people a reason to reach out?
Hope is not a marketing strategy. Video, clarity, and consistency are.
If this hit a nerve, good. That’s where growth starts.
