Scroll Media — Client Resource

How to Read Your
Performance Report

Everything you need to understand your monthly report — what's in it, what the numbers mean, how targets are set, and how to use it.

Overview

What your monthly report is

Every month, Scroll Media sends you a performance report covering the prior month's Instagram activity. It's built from real platform data and shows you what happened, how it performed against your targets, and what we're focusing on next.

Reports arrive in the first week of each month with a short plain-English summary. You don't need a separate meeting to read it — any questions you have are addressed at your next biweekly check-in.

This guide is your permanent reference. Bookmark it. Come back any time something in the report isn't clear.

Report Structure

What's inside

Every monthly report follows the same structure:

SectionWhat it covers
Executive SummaryA short plain-English summary of the month — what moved, what to watch, and the strategic takeaway
Monthly ScoreA single number out of 10 summarizing overall account performance for the month
Performance Dashboard11 key metrics organized by funnel level — each with your actual result, target range, and status label
Performance Insights4–6 insight cards explaining the story behind the data — what's working, what isn't, and why
Top 3 PostsBest-performing content from the month with context on why it worked
Format AnalysisWhich content formats are driving results vs. underperforming
Month Ahead StrategyWhat we're doubling down on, what we're testing, and any strategy adjustments — max 3 per month
Status Labels

What the status labels mean

Each metric in the Performance Dashboard carries one of three status labels:

Exceeding
Above target
Performing above the expected range for your stage. Strong signal — we lean into whatever's driving it.
On Track
Within target
Within the healthy range for your stage. Consistent On Track performance is the goal — and it's not easy to maintain.
Watch
Below target
Underperforming vs. the target range. A real signal — not an alarm. Every Watch area comes with a clear action plan.

One month of Watch is normal. It becomes a focus item when it persists for two or more months — at which point you'll see it addressed directly in the Month Ahead Strategy section.

Metrics Glossary

What each metric means

Your Performance Dashboard tracks 11 metrics across the full funnel. Not all metrics carry equal weight in your score — more on that in the Monthly Score section.

MetricWhat it measuresWhy it matters
Awareness — Top of Funnel
Avg Reach / Day Average unique accounts reached per day across the month Shows how consistently your content spreads beyond existing followers
Total Views Total views across all content in the month Measures raw content consumption — how much your content is actually being watched
New Followers Net new followers gained in the month Shows whether content is converting viewers into followers
Engagement — Middle of Funnel
Saves Times users saved content to revisit later One of the strongest platform signals — tells the algorithm your content has lasting value and drives distribution
Shares Times content was shared to Stories or DMs Organic distribution — shares put your content in front of new audiences without paid spend
Retention % Average percentage of a Reel watched before dropping off Higher retention signals to the algorithm the content is worth pushing further. Under 30% is a cue to tighten hooks and pacing.
Comments Total comments on feed posts Indicates content is sparking conversation. Volume varies by content type — treated as a supporting signal, not a primary one.
Conversion — Bottom of Funnel
Profile Visits How many times your profile was viewed Signals that content created enough curiosity to drive a profile click — the first step toward a follow or inquiry
Link Taps Clicks on the link in your bio or Stories Measures whether Instagram is driving traffic to your website, booking page, or product
CTR Percentage of viewers who clicked through to your profile or link Measures how effectively content drives the next action
Profile Conversion Rate Percentage of profile visitors who followed Shows how compelling your profile is at converting curiosity into followers
Monthly Score

How your monthly score works

Your monthly score is a single number out of 10. It's a weighted composite of all 11 metrics — not a simple average. Metrics that most directly predict buying decisions carry more weight than volume metrics.

Example Score
7.2
Progressing MonthStrong quality signals alongside some volume gaps. Strategy is working — refining distribution.

Metric tiers — why some metrics carry more weight

Tier 1 — 1.5× Weight
Quality & Conversion Signals
Saves · Shares · Retention % · CTR · Profile Conversion Rate
These metrics require a deliberate viewer decision. Saving a post, watching it to completion, or clicking through to your profile are all active choices that signal genuine interest — the kind that precedes a booking or purchase inquiry. These are the behaviors that matter most for service-based businesses, and the ones the Instagram algorithm rewards most heavily.
Tier 2 — 1.0× Weight
Volume & Distribution Signals
Avg Reach / Day · New Followers · Total Views · Profile Visits · Link Taps
Important growth and distribution indicators, but partially subject to platform algorithm variability. Strong content helps, but these metrics have factors outside anyone's direct control. They tell us about reach and momentum — they don't carry the same signal of deliberate audience intent.
Tier 3 — 0.75× Weight
Context & Community Signals
Comments
A real signal, but highly variable by content type. A milestone post drives hundreds of comments. A service feature post drives almost none. That variability means it's tracked as a supporting signal — not a primary performance indicator.

Score range reference

ScoreLabelWhat it means
9.5 – 10.0Breakthrough MonthExtraordinary performance across all tiers. Rare — happens 1–2× per year per account.
9.0 – 9.4Exceptional MonthHigh performance across the board. Multiple quality signals exceeding.
8.5 – 8.9Strong MonthMajority of metrics exceeding or on track. Clear momentum.
8.0 – 8.4Solid MonthClear wins with manageable gaps. Positive direction.
7.5 – 7.9Building MonthClear positives alongside gaps. Progress visible.
7.0 – 7.4Progressing MonthWins and gaps balanced. Normal for testing phases.
6.5 – 6.9Mixed MonthMore gaps than wins but momentum is there.
6.0 – 6.4Foundation MonthEarly-stage execution. Strategy forming. Normal for first months.

The score is a trend tool, not a grade. One month's number means less than how it moves over 3–6 months. Consistent improvement is the goal — not perfection in any single month. The score also factors in month-over-month momentum: consistent improvement across metrics is rewarded even when you haven't hit every target yet.

Target Ranges

How your targets are set

Your performance targets are specific to your account stage — not generic benchmarks pulled from a social media blog. Here's exactly how they're built.

Your stage determines your targets

Every Scroll Media account is assigned a maturity stage. Follower count is the starting point, but your actual stage is determined by engagement quality, content system maturity, and how your key metrics compare to what's expected at each level.

Stage 01
Spark
0 – 1,500 followers
Building the foundation. Testing what resonates. Establishing a consistent content system.
Stage 02
Lift
1,500 – 8,000 followers
Scaling what works. Building conversion paths. Growing a qualified audience.
Stage 03
Rise
10,000 – 40,000 followers
Optimizing at scale. Building brand authority. Deepening audience trust.
Stage 04
Thrive
50,000+ followers
Maximizing brand equity. Ecosystem building. Compounding long-term authority.

Stage assignment is a protection mechanism. If we measured you against the wrong stage's targets, we'd be setting expectations you can't realistically reach yet — or setting the bar so low the data tells you nothing. Your stage is validated against your actual engagement signals and reviewed every 60–90 days. When your account is ready to advance, we'll reach out directly before anything changes in your report.

How benchmark ranges are built

1
Industry data from your niche
We analyzed performance across the service-based businesses we work with — med spas, coaching, fitness, real estate, home services — to understand what normal, strong, and exceptional performance looks like at each stage. These aren't averages from a generic marketing blog. They reflect what actually happens inside accounts in the niches we operate in.
2
Instagram algorithm priority signals
The metrics we track — especially the ones weighted most heavily — reflect what Instagram demonstrably rewards right now. Saves and Shares tell the algorithm the content is worth distributing further. Retention % tells us whether content is holding attention long enough to matter. These choices are grounded in how the platform actually works, not how it worked two years ago.
3
Intentionally calibrated above easy
Targets are set above what's easy to hit consistently. A benchmark you hit effortlessly every month tells you nothing useful. Targets are built to push performance forward — so when you score On Track, you know you're genuinely building momentum. When something shows as Watch, it's a real signal worth addressing, not a technicality.
Content Strategy

The content funnel mix

Your content is intentionally distributed across three funnel levels. The target mix is:

40%
Top of Funnel
Reach and awareness content. Designed to attract new viewers who don't know you yet.
35%
Middle of Funnel
Engagement and trust content. Deepens the relationship with existing followers.
25%
Bottom of Funnel
Conversion content. Moves followers toward a specific action — booking, buying, or inquiring.

The Format Analysis section of your report shows how last month's content performed across each level — and whether any adjustments to the mix are recommended.

Strategy Adjustments

How we handle Watch areas

Every Watch metric comes with a response. Strategy adjustments are documented at the end of the Month Ahead Strategy section — always a maximum of three per month.

Three is the limit by design. More than that is unrealistic to execute well in a single month. We prioritize the highest-leverage adjustments and address everything else in subsequent cycles.

If something is materially underperforming — not just Watch, but significantly below expectations — we'll reach out directly rather than waiting for the monthly report. That kind of signal warrants a dedicated conversation, not a footnote.

FAQ

Common questions

My score went down from last month. Should I be worried?
Not necessarily. Month-to-month fluctuation is normal — algorithm shifts, seasonal patterns, and content mix transitions all play a role. Look at the trend over 3+ months, not a single data point. If the score drops two months in a row, the Month Ahead Strategy section will address it directly. If it drops significantly, we'll reach out proactively.
Why are my targets set where they are? They seem high.
They're meant to be. Targets that are easy to hit every month tell you nothing useful. Yours are built from real performance data across service-based businesses in your niche, calibrated to reflect what healthy, compounding growth actually looks like at your stage. See the Target Ranges section above for the full methodology.
What does my account stage mean and when does it change?
Your stage — Spark, Lift, Rise, or Thrive — determines what targets you're measured against. It's based primarily on follower count, but also takes into account your engagement quality and how your key metrics have been trending. When your account is ready to advance to the next stage, we'll reach out directly with a formal conversation before anything changes in your report. Stage advancements are communicated proactively — they don't just show up.
Why are Saves and Shares weighted more heavily than Views?
Saves and Shares require a deliberate viewer decision. When someone saves a post, they're signaling intent to act on it later. When they share it, they're voluntarily distributing your content to new people. Both directly influence how broadly Instagram pushes your content. Views and Reach matter, but they're more subject to platform variability and don't carry the same signal of genuine interest.
My follower count didn't grow much. Does that mean the strategy isn't working?
Follower growth is one signal among many. A month with slow follower growth but strong Saves, Shares, Reach, and Link Taps is often a better month than one with high follower growth and low engagement. We focus on building an audience that converts — not just a large one. The score reflects that weighting.
What's the difference between Reach and Views?
Reach counts unique accounts — each person counted once regardless of how many times they saw your content. Views count total plays, including repeat views from the same person. Reach tells you how wide your content spread. Views tell you how much total consumption happened. Both tell different parts of the story.
I see a Watch on a metric I thought was doing well. What happened?
Watch means performance fell below the target floor for your current stage. It's possible a metric improved month-over-month but is still below the stage target — which is why trend and status can point in different directions. The Month Ahead Strategy section will explain what's behind it and what we're doing about it.
I have a question not covered here. How do I get it answered?
Bring it to your next biweekly check-in. If it's time-sensitive, reach out to your Account Manager directly. For anything beyond your AM: help@scrollmedia.co
Questions

Still need help?

Your Account Manager is your first call. For anything beyond that: