Instagram for Nonprofits (what actually works in 2026)
Fri Feb 06 2026
Instagram has fundamentally changed in the past year. Many of the "best practices" that social media managers have relied on are out the window: Hashtags don't work the way they used to, the algorithm is now powered by AI, search behavior has replaced social discovery, and reels dominate everything else.
If your team uses Instagram (especially if they use it the same way they have for the past 2-3 years), this episode is essential listening.
Lee sits down with Counterintuity social media strategist Jaclyn Uloth, who breaks down what actually changed on Instagram, why it matters for nonprofits, and what your team should be doing differently in 2026.
What you'll learn:
The algorithm shift: Why Instagram now works like a search engine instead of a photo-sharing app, and what that means for how people discover your nonprofit
The death of hashtags: How keyword-based search replaced hashtags, and how to optimize your content for AI-powered discovery
The 2,000-character opportunity: Instagram now allows much longer captions — here's how nonprofits can use this for educational content without overwhelming followers
Why reels matter: The data on why short-form video dominates the algorithm, and how to create reels even if you don't have a dedicated video team
Authenticity over polish: Why "messy" behind-the-scenes content actually builds more donor trust than professional, polished posts
The consistency factor: The surprising stat about how often most nonprofits post (and why showing up regularly matters more than posting perfectly)
The 3-thing strategy: If you're working with a small team and stretched thin, here are the only three things you need to focus on
What's different about Meta in 2026: How Instagram and Facebook work together, and why understanding the Meta ecosystem matters for your strategy
This episode is perfect for nonprofit executives, development directors, marketing managers, and anyone responsible for social media strategy who wants to understand what's actually working now.
Whether you're just getting started with Instagram or you've been posting for years, you'll walk away with a clear understanding of what changed, what matters, and what you can implement today with the resources you have.
More
Instagram has fundamentally changed in the past year. Many of the "best practices" that social media managers have relied on are out the window: Hashtags don't work the way they used to, the algorithm is now powered by AI, search behavior has replaced social discovery, and reels dominate everything else. If your team uses Instagram (especially if they use it the same way they have for the past 2-3 years), this episode is essential listening. Lee sits down with Counterintuity social media strategist Jaclyn Uloth, who breaks down what actually changed on Instagram, why it matters for nonprofits, and what your team should be doing differently in 2026. What you'll learn: The algorithm shift: Why Instagram now works like a search engine instead of a photo-sharing app, and what that means for how people discover your nonprofit The death of hashtags: How keyword-based search replaced hashtags, and how to optimize your content for AI-powered discovery The 2,000-character opportunity: Instagram now allows much longer captions — here's how nonprofits can use this for educational content without overwhelming followers Why reels matter: The data on why short-form video dominates the algorithm, and how to create reels even if you don't have a dedicated video team Authenticity over polish: Why "messy" behind-the-scenes content actually builds more donor trust than professional, polished posts The consistency factor: The surprising stat about how often most nonprofits post (and why showing up regularly matters more than posting perfectly) The 3-thing strategy: If you're working with a small team and stretched thin, here are the only three things you need to focus on What's different about Meta in 2026: How Instagram and Facebook work together, and why understanding the Meta ecosystem matters for your strategy This episode is perfect for nonprofit executives, development directors, marketing managers, and anyone responsible for social media strategy who wants to understand what's actually working now. Whether you're just getting started with Instagram or you've been posting for years, you'll walk away with a clear understanding of what changed, what matters, and what you can implement today with the resources you have.