The Social Strategist

Instagram AI Update: AI Labels. Instagram is labeling content using the background remover tool as Ai. Creators are NOT happy about it. In this week's update I'm covering everything you need to know about Instagram from the Canva background remover controversy to Google Search Console's new integration and more!

CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction

0:16 Instagram's AI Mislabeling Controversy

0:51 The EU Transparency Act 2:31 How Other Platforms Handle AI Labeling

5:10 Google Search Console Now Tracks Instagram Traffic

7:14 Instagram's New Logo

7:28 Instagram Series, Bonus Program & Edits Updates

INSTAGRAM GROWTH TOOLS → 131 tested hooks you can use in reels, carousels & yapping videos: https://iammichellegifford.com/hooksguide

→ Join my 6 Figure Insta-Club:

https://www.skool.com/insta-club/about

What do you think about instagram's new AI content label? If this helped your Instagram growth, subscribe — I post strategy that helps women build real businesses online without the hustle.

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleGifford

Hey, I'm Michelle Gifford — a social media strategist, brand strategist, and marketing agency CEO who's passionate about helping entrepreneurs and small business owners grow their online presence and turn their content into real, consistent revenue. I share actionable social media marketing tips, Instagram growth strategies, Reels tutorials, content planning systems, and everything you need to show up online with confidence and clarity. Whether you're trying to crack the Instagram algorithm, build a content strategy that attracts your ideal clients, or finally get consistent with your email marketing and personal branding, this channel is for you. Download my FREE 131 Hooks Guide: https://iammichellegifford.com/hook-ideas #Instagramupdates #socialmediastrategist #Instagramexpert Let's Connect!

Website:

https://iammichellegifford.com/

Agency:

https://michellegiffordcreative.com/

Podcast:

https://iammichellegifford.com/podcast

IG:

https://www.instagram.com/iammichellegifford/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleGifford

How do you actually make money on Instagram? If you're posting consistently but your content isn't converting into sales, this episode is for you.

Click here to join my 6 figure Instagram Club: https://www.skool.com/insta-club/about

In this episode of The Social Strategist Podcast, Michelle Gifford shares the strategies behind selling on Instagram without feeling pushy or salesy. Learn why creating content isn't enough, how to overcome common money mindset blocks, and the exact framework to turn your Instagram audience into paying customers.

Michelle breaks down the four questions every high-converting sales post should answer, how to identify "money leaks" in your Instagram account, why Instagram Stories are one of the most powerful sales tools, and how to build a content strategy that nurtures followers into buyers. She also dives into the psychology of selling, handling rejection, and why successful entrepreneurs embrace sales as a way to serve—not pressure—their audience.

Whether you're a content creator, coach, service provider, small business owner, or entrepreneur, you'll walk away with actionable Instagram marketing strategies you can implement today to increase engagement, generate leads, and grow a profitable online business.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to sell on Instagram without sounding salesy The biggest mistakes keeping creators from making money How to overcome money mindset and sales fears The four-part framework for high-converting content How to use Instagram Stories to increase sales Why email lists and lead magnets boost Instagram conversions How to create content that attracts followers and converts customers

If you're ready to turn your Instagram into a six-figure business, this episode gives you the roadmap to start selling with confidence.

Can you actually make six figures on Instagram? And if so... what's stopping most creators?

Join my 6-figure Instagram Club: https://www.skool.com/insta-club/about

In this episode, Michelle Gifford shares the mindset shifts and business strategies that separate hobby creators from profitable business owners. She opens up about the unexpected events that completely changed the direction of her business, why she created the Six Figure Insta Club, and the biggest mistakes creators make when trying to monetize Instagram.

You'll learn why growing followers isn't enough, how to build a clear path from Instagram posts to paying customers, why an email list matters more than ever, and how tools like ManyChat can automate your sales process.

Michelle also tackles one of the biggest hidden obstacles to success: the uncomfortable beliefs many women have about making money, abundance, and building a profitable business.

If you're ready to stop posting just for engagement and start creating an Instagram business that generates consistent income, this episode is for you.

In this episode:

• How to make money on Instagram
• What it takes to build a six-figure Instagram business
• The biggest money mistakes creators make
• Why Instagram followers don't automatically create income
• How to create a clear path from content to sales
• Why every creator needs an email list
• How ManyChat helps automate Instagram sales
• The mindset shifts that make profitable businesses possible

Whether you're a coach, service provider, creator, photographer, or online business owner, you'll leave with practical strategies to turn your Instagram account into a profitable business.

Instagram Just Changed Everything: Series Content, Adam Mosseri's Algorithm Update & What Creators Need to Do Next

Instagram is testing a brand-new feature that could completely change how we create content: Netflix-style series for Reels.

In this episode of The Social Strategist Podcast, Michelle Gifford breaks down what Instagram's latest experiment means for creators, coaches, and business owners trying to grow on social media. Plus, we're unpacking Adam Mosseri's recent post about algorithms, recommendations, and why users are feeling disconnected from the platforms they spend the most time on.

You'll learn:

• What Instagram's new series feature is and why it matters

• Why TikTok and Instagram are both investing heavily in episodic storytelling

• How Adam Mosseri says the algorithm actually works

• Why followers matter less than engagement in today's Instagram landscape

• How to create binge-worthy "TV show" style content that keeps people coming back

• The difference between content pillars and content series

• Practical ways to build stronger audience connection through storytelling

• How to use "lenses" so you can share more of your life without confusing your audience

Join Club 10 now: https://iammichellegifford.com/club10

If you're a creator, entrepreneur, coach, or small business owner trying to grow on Instagram in 2026, this episode will help you stay ahead of the latest Instagram updates and build a content strategy designed for where social media is heading.

Keywords: Instagram strategy, Instagram algorithm, Adam Mosseri, Instagram updates, Instagram growth tips, Reels strategy, content marketing, creator economy, social media marketing, Instagram series feature, storytelling content, episodic content, grow on Instagram, Instagram tips for business owners, content strategy for creators.

The Creator Who Grew 300K Followers by Saying She's "Not the Expert" | Instagram Growth Strategy

What if the fastest way to grow on Instagram right now isn't looking more polished… but more human?

In this episode, Michelle Gifford breaks down the explosive rise of Jessie Jane Hom, a creator who gained over 300,000 followers in just a few months by doing the opposite of what most creators are taught to do.

No guru energy. No overly polished content. No pretending to have it all figured out.

Instead, Jessie built a personal brand around "yapping videos," emotional connection, strong hooks, audience research, and showing up in the middle of the journey instead of waiting until she had all the answers.

Michelle unpacks the 7 Instagram growth strategies Jessie is using right now, including:

• The "I'm not the expert" hook

• How to use audience polls for viral content ideas

• The power of hot takes in Instagram Reels

• Emotional content that gets shared

• How captions increase Instagram watch time

• Why creators should teach from the middle of the climb

• How to create Instagram content series that keep followers coming back

If you're trying to grow on Instagram in 2026, build a personal brand, create better Reels, or figure out what's actually working with the Instagram algorithm right now, this episode will give you practical strategies you can start using immediately.

This episode is especially for creators, business owners, influencers, and personal brands who want to grow faster on Instagram without sounding like everyone else online.

https://substack.com/@michellegifford

AI is here. It's coming faster than you want it to. And if you're feeling behind, overwhelmed, or like you'd rather just sit this one out — this episode is for you.

After a few months off the podcast, I'm back with a long-form conversation about AI, what our place is in it, and why women especially can't afford to stay on the sidelines.

In this episode:

• The dinner-party whisper conversation that's happening in every neighborhood right now
• Why women have been in this exact spot before — and what happens when we wait
• The Reese Witherspoon post (and stat) that stopped me in my tracks
• The reframe that changed everything for me: this isn't happening to me, it's happening for me
• How I'm using ChatGPT, Claude, and Cowork in my business right now
• What I learned when I uploaded six years of audience questions into Claude
• Why you don't need to be an expert — you just need to start

Mentioned in this episode:

• Michelle AI (my custom GPT trained on my frameworks): https://iammichellegifford.com/michelleai
• My YouTube tutorial walking through ChatGPT, Claude, and Cowork: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izWGsMgIf3o&t=1s
• Join the conversation on Substack: https://michellegifford.substack.com/

Let's keep talking. Head to Substack and tell me where you land on AI — I'm reading every comment.

Do you feel like you finally find your rhythm on Instagram, only for the app to go and change the song? It is so easy to feel like you're constantly playing catch-up, but friend, I have some news: The roadmap for the future is already here.

Today, we are diving deep into a game-changing update from the head of Instagram himself, Adam Mosseri. We aren't talking about "predictions"—we're talking about the literal shift happening in 2026.

Instagram isn't trying to ruin your business; it's trying to survive. And if you want your business to survive (and thrive!) alongside it, you need to move from being a "content creator" to a thought leader.

Your Mosseri-Inspired Action Plan:

• Define Your Authenticity Rules: Instagram doesn't deserve 100% of you. Write down 3-5 things you will share and a firm list of what is off-limits. Your authenticity is an intentional identity, not an emotional expose.

• Create the "Un-fakeable": As AI gets better at mimicking "messy" aesthetics, the bar is shifting. Stop asking "Can I create this?" and start asking "Can I create something that only I can create?"

• Move to Thought Leadership: People don't want just another "quick tip"—they want your perspective, your tested results, and your unique "why."

• Focus on the DMs and Community: The feed is for entertainment, but the connection is happening in the DMs. Build a community that stands for something, not just an audience that watches something.

Stop being a victim of the algorithm and start owning the power of your own voice! We need more moms with influence, and that starts with you taking the first step today.

If you're worried about these changes in Instagram and want some extra help, come join my coaching group, Grow The Gram, where I will teach you my proven system for getting followers and making money on Instagram! It's open to join through January 27th, so don't wait!

Join Club 10 and get daily prompts, trending audio, and the community you need to grow your next 10K followers.

If this episode helped you find some clarity today, it would mean the world to me if you'd leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast app! It helps other women entrepreneurs find this community and grow their dreams, too.

Ever feel like you're setting big, beautiful goals for your business, but by the time the month ends, they just... fizzle out?

Today, we're getting under the hood of your business to talk about why those goals might be stalling. We're diving into the three types of business goals every creator needs: Growth, Systems, and Projects. Setting a goal is only half the battle; the magic happens in the systems that hold those goals up. I'm sharing exactly how to build those foundations so your goals don't just stay on paper, but actually come to life. Plus, I'll show you how I track my progress so you can stop guessing and start growing with confidence.

Ready to take action?

• Join Club 10: Stop doing Instagram alone! Get daily prompts, trending audio, and the community you need to grow your next 10K followers.

• Download My Scorecard: Grab the exact tool I use to track my business metrics and stay on the path to growth.

• Leave a Review: If this episode helped you find some clarity today, it would mean the world to me if you'd leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast app! It helps other women entrepreneurs find this community and grow their dreams, too.

Let's flip the script on traditional bucket lists and create something far more empowering: your Reverse Bucket List—a celebration of everything you've already lived, built, survived, and crushed (yes, even the tiny wins you usually gloss over). We'll walk through five soul-fueling categories to help you finally give yourself the credit you deserve. Get ready to honor your growth, validate your resilience, and spotlight the risks, boundaries, and breakthroughs that shaped you this year. And when your list is complete, you'll finish with one powerful reflection: "Looking at this list, what does this prove I'm capable of doing next?" Tune in, celebrate yourself, and let's make confidence contagious.

Want my ChatGPT Reverse Bucket List prompt? It's just below--make sure to copy it and leave me a review on your podcast app so others can find the prompt, too!

• Want faster edits and better Reels? Grab my quick Instagram Edits App course—now 50% off!
• Come join Club 10 and grow your next 10K followers with daily Instagram prompts, trending audio, and a supportive community — so you can spend less time guessing and more time growing.
• Learn my proven Instagram system that's helped businesses grow faster, get seen by more people, and make more money.
• Let's hang out on Instagram!

The prompt: Create a personalized Reverse Bucket List for me. Follow these instructions exactly:

1. A reverse bucket list is NOT future goals. Only list things I've already done, lived through, survived, or accomplished.
2. Include both the big things and the small, "I never give myself credit for this" things.
3. Include moments of growth, hard seasons I made it through, risks I took, habits I built, boundaries I set, and things I'm proud of but rarely say out loud.
4. Do NOT let me downplay anything. If it mattered, include it.
5. Organize my reverse bucket list into these categories:
   • Identity & Personal Growth
   • Work, Creativity & Achievement
   • Relationships & Family
   • Hard Things I Survived
   • Fun, Adventure & Unexpected Wins
6. After listing them, write one reflection sentence answering:
7. "Looking at this list, what does this prove I'm capable of doing next?"

Before you create my reverse bucket list, ask me 5 clarifying questions about my year so you can make it accurate and meaningful.

SEO is changing faster than ever, and AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude are reshaping how people search, shop, and discover businesses online. In this episode, I break down what you need to do in 2026 to stay visible in an AI-driven world. You'll learn why traditional Google-first search is disappearing, how AI is becoming the new product discovery engine, and the essential steps every business—e-commerce, coaches, creators, and service providers—must take to show up in AI search results.

I also give you the key content structures, frameworks, and long-form strategies that help AI recognize you as the expert in your niche, plus the hidden downsides you need to be aware of! You'll walk away with a powerful prompt to build your own 30–90 day AI SEO plan. Take a breath—you've got this.

Want my secret prompt? It's just below--make sure to copy it and leave me a review on your podcast app so others can find the prompt!

• Want faster edits and better Reels? Grab my quick Instagram Edits App course—now 50% off!
• Come join Club 10 and grow your next 10K followers with daily Instagram prompts, trending audio, and a supportive community — so you can spend less time guessing and more time growing.
• Learn my proven Instagram system that's helped businesses grow faster, get seen by more people, and make more money.
• Let's hang out on Instagram!

The AI SEO Implementation Prompt 1. Identify the questions people would ask AI that should lead to my products and services.

2. Rewrite my product pages, service pages, and website sections using AI AI-friendly structure. (Give examples from your website)

3. Create a list of long-form content topics that will help AI understand my niche expertise and frameworks.

4. Tell me where I need to publish: Is it blogs, YouTube, podcasts, or resource pages? So that AI can actually find and index my expertise.

5. Build a list of ChatGPT prompts I should embed on my site to help AI match my offerings to user intent.

6. Create a structure for "best of" resource pages related to my niche that help AI recommend me more often.

7. Audit what's missing from my discoverability strategy and tell me what to fix first.

8. Ask me follow-up questions until you fully understand my business, audience, niche, and offers.

9. Create a 30-day (or 60 or 90-day) AI SEO implementation plan.

Ready to get started with some of those other steps I listed?

Click here to register your domain with Google and click here to register with Bing.

And as always, please leave a rating and review! It means the world.