When retargeting users on Instagram, what specific behavioral event indicates the strongest purchase intent?

When retargeting users on Instagram, the specific behavioral event that indicates the strongest purchase intent is adding a product to the shopping cart but not completing the purchase (abandoned cart). This action demonstrates a clear interest in buying the product and a willingness to move through the purchase process. Users who abandon their carts are highly qualified leads because they've already shown a significant level of engagement and consideration. For example, if a user adds a pair of shoes to their cart on a brand's website but doesn't finalize the transaction, retargeting them with an ad featuring those same shoes, perhaps with a special discount or free shipping offer, is highly likely to result in a conversion. Retargeting based on 'add to cart' events generally outperforms retargeting based on other actions like website visits or product page views, as it signals a more advanced stage in the buying journey.