WASHINGTON — For some people, it’s not a good meal without taking a photo and sharing it on social media.
The practice of posting food photos online drives some dining companions crazy, but many people wouldn’t think of tearing into a towering pastrami sandwich or dissecting a delicate dessert without first documenting it with a digital photo.
But where do you those post food pix, for maximum satisfaction?
For many restaurants, the recipe for success includes a good helping of Instagram.
Several studies indicate posting a scrumptious snap on Instagram is more likely to prompt someone to salivate — and ultimately come into a restaurant to sample the dish.
A report from Forrester Research shows Instagram generates 58 times more engagement per follower than Facebook and 120 times more than Twitter, according to a report in DelmarvaNow.
A similar study in Forbes Magazine determined dollar for dollar, the number of impressions on Instagram are about the same as on Facebook, but getting someone to absorb and engage with the content is easier on Instagram, which requires a photo or video to generate a post.
Facebook posts with photos are more engaging than text-only postings, research has determined.
Restaurant owners often post photographs of specials and new dishes, daily, to encourage users to sample the photogenic fare.
According to eMarketer, there will be 48.2 millennial Instagram users this year, with two-thirds of all millennial smartphone users using the Instagram app by 2019.
