Reader Question: “Should I still have my Instagram feed on my site?”

The Case for Keeping the Instagram Feed

1. Social Proof That Doesn’t Feel Like Sales

Customers trust other customers. A well-curated IG feed still serves as soft proof that real people are into your stuff.

In one client’s furniture store, the IG feed featured cozy customer homes styled with their products. It reinforced the brand’s story visually. While it didn’t directly drive clicks, it helped create the “real-world” context their product pages lacked.

2. Passive Freshness Without Extra Work

Your homepage might not get weekly updates, but your Instagram probably does. When embedded properly, your feed:

• Keeps the homepage looking active
• Reflects seasonal content and campaign themes
• Adds color and variation to static layouts

It’s a smart way to keep your front-facing content fresh without constant design cycles.

3. Emotional Connection & Visual Language

Sometimes, customers don’t need another polished photo — they need a feeling. Your IG feed, if curated with care, can deliver that mood.

I once worked with a slow fashion brand where the Instagram feed told stories that didn’t make it into the PDPs. Those in-feed moments added warmth — not data, but emotion.

4. Organic UGC Loop

Customers tag you more when they know they’ll be featured. An embedded IG feed creates a loop:

• Customers post > Tag brand > Appear on site
• Others see it > Want to post too

It becomes a mini engine for brand advocacy.

The Case for Removing the Instagram Feed

1. It Can Wreck Your Load Time

Some IG widgets are super heavy, especially ones with autoplay or live sync. I’ve audited stores where an embedded feed slowed load times significantly, especially on mobile — and that’s death for conversion.

If you’re going to embed one, test performance before and after. Lightweight wins.

2. Mismatch in Tone = Brand Confusion

I’ve seen clean, premium Shopify sites with feeds that pull in cluttered, random IG posts. If your feed isn’t on-brand or styled with intention, it can undermine your credibility.

Your feed should match the site’s design system in mood, color, and voice.

3. It’s Passive Filler — Unless You Curate It

An auto-feed that just shows your last 6 posts is often visual filler. Unless it’s:

• Clickable
• Product-linked
• Copy-annotated …it’s probably not doing much.

Curate it or cut it.

4. There Are Smarter Tools Now

We’ve evolved past basic Instagram widgets. Shopify apps now let you:

• Feature curated UGC blocks
• Embed short-form video content
• Show real-time product reviews in dynamic layouts

These feel fresher and work harder for you.

What To Do Instead (or Next)

• Curate with purpose: Use tools like Foursixty or Instafeed to filter posts, tag products, and match your aesthetic.
• Use IG content, not just the feed: Pull top visuals from Instagram and drop them into strategic site blocks.
• Optimize load time: Use lazy loading or embed the feed lower on the page.
• Make it actionable: Add CTAs — “Tag us to be featured” or “Shop the looks below.”

Final Verdict: Think Like a Strategist, Not Just a Designer

As someone who builds sites and runs businesses, here’s my honest take:

Your IG feed isn’t dead. But it better be intentional.

If it’s curated, lightweight, and purpose-driven — keep it. But if it’s there just to be there? Time to upgrade.

In 2025, your homepage should do more than look good — it should convert, educate, and build emotional trust.

So audit your IG feed: Is it reinforcing your brand story — or is it just sitting there, waiting for someone to scroll past?

The best Shopify sites don’t just display. They direct. Let every block — including your IG feed — earn its place.