> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.smaq.io/documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.smaq.io/documentation/features/creative-intelligence/instagram-viral-monitor.md).

# Instagram Viral Post Monitor

The Instagram Viral Post Monitor watches your organic Instagram posts (feed, Reels, and Stories) and flags ones whose engagement velocity outpaces your baseline.

Why this matters: a Reel can pop in the first 4–8 hours. Catching it during that window — and pushing paid behind it — usually amplifies further. Catching it 48 hours later usually doesn't.

### What you need

* An [Instagram](/documentation/connections/instagram.md) connection (Business or Creator account).
* At least 30 days of organic post history for a baseline.

### Configuration

> **\[Screenshot needed]** Instagram Viral Post Monitor config form with velocity threshold and post-age range visible.

#### Monitoring interval

How often SMAQ checks. The default is every 4 hours — fast enough to catch viral lift, slow enough to avoid noise.

* For fast-moving accounts (large followers, multiple posts/day): every 2 hours.
* For slower accounts: every 8 hours.

#### Velocity threshold

The multiple of baseline engagement at which a post is flagged. Default: 3.0× (post engaging 3× faster than the median).

* Lower (2.0×) → more posts flagged, more noise.
* Higher (5.0×) → fewer, higher-confidence flags.

#### Baseline post count

The number of recent posts SMAQ uses to compute the baseline. Default: 20. Don't go below 10 — the baseline becomes too noisy.

#### Min post age (minutes)

Don't flag posts younger than this. Default: 60 minutes. Posts go through an early variance window where one whale engagement skews velocity.

#### Max post age (hours)

Stop monitoring posts older than this. Default: 24 hours. After 24h, the early-momentum signal is gone.

### Output

When a post crosses the threshold, SMAQ sends a notification (email or in-app):

* Post thumbnail
* Velocity multiple (e.g. "4.2× baseline")
* Current likes, comments, shares
* AI-written suggestion: "Consider boosting — engagement velocity 4.2× baseline, 200+ shares in first 4 hours."

> **\[Screenshot needed]** Example notification with a post thumbnail, velocity metric, and recommendation text.

### Tips

* **Pair with a paid Meta connection.** When a post pops, you want to boost from Ads Manager fast. SMAQ doesn't auto-boost — but the notification gives you the post ID and a direct link.
* **Tune the baseline.** If you post wildly different content types (Reels and static feed), your baseline will be skewed. Run two separate monitors, one with Reels-only audiences if that matters to you.
* **Don't over-monitor.** 4-hour intervals are usually fine. Hourly creates alert fatigue.

### Tier availability

* **Scale & Agency** — fully available.

### Related

* [Instagram connection](/documentation/connections/instagram.md).
* [Competitor Ads Monitor (Meta)](/documentation/features/creative-intelligence/competitor-ads-meta.md) — for paid Meta, not organic.