With new apps coming out every year, social media continues to evolve. One platform that has stuck around with promising popularity is Instagram. Ever wonder why some content is shown more or why some posts do better than others? It’s the infamous algorithm. But what is an algorithm and why does it matter on Instagram? We are taking a deep dive into understanding the Instagram algorithm in 2021!
Every social media platform, whether Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok, has an algorithm. This algorithm explains why we as users see the content we do and it determines the success of content as a whole on the platform it is posted to. For Instagram, various factors play a significant role in the make-up and overall outcome of the algorithm. The purpose of this equation for Instagram is to showcase images and content its audience and users actually care about; by people they follow, are connected to, and show interest in.
Interest
For once, it’s all about you! Your Instagram feed is made for YOU –and the algorithm knows what you like and want to see.
- The posts and content that appear are all based on things you have liked, searched, posted yourself, and interacted with in the past.
- The main key here is consistency. You have to remain consistent on the thing in which you are interested in for the algorithm to accurately reflect that.
- It’s about the audience. Instagram wants you, the audience, to be present and active online. The audience is more likely to engage with content they have an interest in and have “liked” before. All of this increases a page’s engagement and total reach. To engage is to comment, like, reshare, send, and view.
Time
Just like the rest of the world, Instagram runs on time. The algorithm acknowledges when you post and how long ago you post.
- It uses both of these hints of information to configure how high your reach will be and how successful the post will be as well.
- To beat the algorithm, do some research! Dig a little deeper and pay more attention to when your post gets the most likes and comments. Find the best time for you to post to increase reach and general engagement for you and your page.
- When your followers are the most active that is the key to pushing around the algorithm to your benefit.
Frequency
To be honest…how often are you on Instagram? On lunch break, in between calls, watching TV, bored and waiting for the subway—constantly!
- The algorithm states that the more you are on Instagram, the more up to date and chronological your feed will be. Newer posts on the top and older content further down.
- When you are a frequent Instagram user, you are more likely to be exposed to all new sorts of content and accounts. This is the goal!
- Eventually, the user will run out of new content based on interest and Instagram will calculate itself to suggest new content for the user to try and view. This expands the web of content one sees and will interact with.
Followers
- People go “viral” based on likes and followers. The more likes you get, the increase of followers occurs after, and then each one of your posts reaches a higher amount of audience. The cycle of Instagram.
- The algorithm works when your followers are ACTIVE. If you have 21,000 followers but only get 300 likes per post and about 50 comments—what’s the point?
- In general, Instagram and social media only work when users generate their own content and their followers interact with it. If a majority of your followers are inactive the success of your page and insights does down.
Diversity of Content
The beauty of Instagram is the various forms of content that can be posted on that same platform.
- What started as just as media for pictures has now grown into IGTV Videos, reels, and stories. The more you utilize the different types of content the more likely your reach, impressions, and content will be higher and more successful in the equation of Instagram.
- With social media and apps changing everyday, embrace the latest features and updates and use them before everyone else does. Don’t be afraid to get creative.
Whether you’re trying to successfully achieve the goal of the IG algorithm or you want to cheat around, these are the variables that you need to be aware of. Instagram and other social media platforms are smart, and for them to reach their target audiences and keep the cycles going they use these equations. Keep interacting, engaging, and being your creative self!
If you still aren’t quite getting Instagram, let Philly PR Girl help you and your business thrive! Reach out to us at Info@PhillyPRGirl.com to see how we can help!
