We get this question a lot: “Is Instagram better than Facebook for social media growth, or is Facebook better?” So why not dive in and break it down between Facebook vs Instagram?
| Launch Date | 6 October, 2010 | February 4, 2004 |
| Total Users | 2.3 billion | 3.07 billion |
| Most active age group | 18–24 | 25–34 |
What do you get from looking at the above table? It is not about the platform; it is about where you can find your target audience. Let’s say you are in college and are keen on making jewelry. You will only be able to find your first few sales on Instagram. Viral Omega has broken down about it all ahead.
Instagram’s Strength: Guaranteed Reach to Your Followers
Instagram gives you a huge reach advantage. More or less all your followers if you post something on Instagram will see. For example, if you have a hundred followers and those hundred people scroll down their feeds, the odds are your post will probably be there in front of them.
Now, compare this with Facebook. So let’s assume you have ten thousand followers on your Facebook page, but whenever you post, do you know how many people actually see the post? Just around three to four hundred, maybe 10 to 15 likes max. On Instagram, it’s pretty consistent on its own without extra work. That is, if we look at organic reach, it’s clearly more.
Facebook’s Strength: The “Sharing Phenomenon”
But wait a minute. Facebook has also its super strength. You see, Facebook has what we call the “sharing phenomenon.” If you come across a great video, an interesting article, or a funny meme, then you’re likely to hit that “Share” button, right? When something gets shared, it can really trigger a chain reaction, and that content reaches a lot of people quickly.
There is no easy “Share” button on Instagram with which to share posts in feeds to followers. Of course, you can mention friends in comments or share them via direct message, but that’s not quite the same thing as with Facebook. You may have noticed a post by a friend who shares content from other pages, which you otherwise probably would never see. That is the kind of viral exposure that makes Facebook special for spreading content quickly.
Hashtags on Instagram: A Simple Way to Reach New People
Another good thing about Instagram is the fact that there are features for hashtags. Suppose you are sharing some cool pictures and using popular hashtags such as #photography or #travel. Then, people who follow those hashtags—even those who do not follow your profile—may discover your post. Therefore, Instagram lets you reach new people with really easy effort.
But with Facebook? Not so much. Hashtags work differently here. You can’t count on hashtags to get your content seen by new people. For growing your followers with Facebook, the most probable channels are a sprinkling of paid ads or posting your content into relevant groups. That’s not at all as smooth an experience as hashtags are with Instagram.
Content Quality Matters on Both Platforms
Content quality stands supreme, regardless of the platform you are on. If your posts do not interest or appeal to the eyes or add some value, they do not do well on either.
Photos and videos are basically at the center of Instagram, so your visuals must really be spot on. Meanwhile, Facebook gives you some more space for longer captions and articles, and even video uploads with thorough detail. Still, if quality content isn’t brought to it, no matter which platform you use.
Growth Tactics: Facebook Needs More Work, Instagram is More Organic
Growing on these platforms also takes different strategies. On Facebook, to really grow, you have to put in a lot of effort. This would mean posting on several Facebook groups, posting on your timeline, messaging one by one, or creating relationships with followers over time. The amount of work you put in surely pays if followed consistently in the long run.
On the other hand, Instagram does not need quite so much hustle for visibility. All you need to do is post content that can pull people in, use good hashtags, and maybe interact a little bit in the comments or DMs. The growth feels a bit more natural and less of a grind compared to Facebook.
Facebook vs Instagram: Why You Should Use Both
The thing is, we actually recommend using both, if possible. You never want to put all your eggs in one social media basket. Think about it: if your Instagram account is banned, you’d lose your entire audience all at once. But if you’re on Facebook too, you’ll always have a way to reach out to your following. It’s really building a multi-platform presence from day one.
One nice thing is that you can link Facebook to Instagram, so when you post on Instagram, it instantly posts your post to your Facebook page. This way, you get the best of two worlds without having to make two separate posts. This is a smart move, especially if you would not want to double your workload but still wish to be active on both media platforms.
Another nice thing is that if we recommend both, we can also help you achieve goals you have set up for your business using our social media management services. Book a call today and get to know how we can make all the possibilities come live to elevate your social media presence.
Final Thoughts: Which Platform Should You Start With?
Which one should you start with? it depends. If you have really great visual content to share and you want some straightforward reach to your followers, then by all means go for Instagram. It’s relatively easier to grow organically there, and your posts are more likely to be seen by all your followers.
But in case you are seeking to make viral content and you need that extra push with shares, you might find Facebook more practical. You will also find its format more than helpful since you can type a lot of information or longer posts than those that are ideal on Twitter.
Instagram generally offers better engagement due to its visual content focus and consistent organic reach. However, the right platform depends on your target audience and content type.
Post consistently, use relevant hashtags, and engage with followers. Sharing high-quality, visually appealing content and using Instagram Stories or Reels also helps attract and retain followers organically.
Facebook’s algorithm limits organic reach to encourage paid ads. Unlike Instagram, only a small percentage of followers see posts unless boosted through ads or shared by others.
Yes, using both platforms expands reach, reduces risk, and ensures visibility across multiple audiences. Connecting accounts also simplifies posting and increases overall brand presence.
