Description
Instagram engagement just hit record lows... and as a creator and business owner, I'm feeling it. So I'm walking you through the 3 things I'm actively changing about my Instagram strategy in 2026 - in real time - so you can decide whether to copy them, tweak them, or wait for my update in a month.
In this video, I break down what's actually happening with the Instagram algorithm in 2026, why engagement has collapsed across the board, and the strategic pivots I'm making to protect my reach, my business, and (honestly) my nervous system.
✨ What we cover:
- The 2026 Instagram engagement stats no one's talking about
- My exact Trial Reels A/B testing system (and why I resisted it for a year)
- Why I'm scaling up Meta ads in 2026, and who needs to be doing the same
- How I use Claude AI in my content workflow, and the boundary I refuse to cross
- Why AI-generated content is actually making the engagement crisis worse
- The honest reason I've stepped back from Instagram and where my energy is going instead
Whether you're a social media manager, a creator, or a business owner who relies on Instagram for leads... this is the video to watch before you spend another hour fighting the algorithm.
xx
Ellen
_______________________________________________________________
🎯 FREE WEBINAR
Learn how I sign high-paying clients and build a scalable social media business:
https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/freewebinar
🔗 //LINKS (ad affiliates) //
Camera:
https://geni.us/iPjpAt
Lens:
https://geni.us/kNkJOx
Full list of tools & software I use:
https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/tools
🤯 //FREE TRAINING SERIES//
0 to 7 figures: enter your social media manager era!
https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/private-podcast
💻 // WORK WITH ELLEN //
Join the Dishing up Digital School:
https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/Dishing-up-Digital-School
Join the high level mastermind:
https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/the-lfg-mastermind
SMM template bundle:
https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/offers/DwKaVUZd
Buy Ellen's book:
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0473664798
📲 // SOCIAL MEDIA //
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ellenmackenziee
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee
🌐 Ellen's business:
https://www.ellenmackenzie.com/
📧 Sponsorship enquiries:
team@dishingupdigital.com
⏱ //TIMESTAMPS//
00:00 Instagram engagement is at an all-time low
00:34 Hi, I'm Ellen - let me explain
01:52 The numbers behind the engagement crash
03:33 Change #1: Trial reels (and why I resisted)
07:22 My trial reel A/B testing system
10:17 Change #2: Why I'm leaning into paid ads
15:16 Change #3: Why I won't use AI to make my content
21:28 What I DO use AI for in my business
23:30 The bigger pattern behind the engagement dip
25:42 Final thoughts + how to follow along