What is the Instagram algorithm?
The algorithm in Instagram decides how and when to display content to users. The algorithm considers hundreds of factors, such as user history and location, profile, device, trend, popularity, etc. Algorithms are often the key to who sees what you post, whether SEO or social media.
These algorithms are constantly changing, so yesterday’s marketing strategies might not work tomorrow. Therefore, your strategy for each platform must also change.
Particularly on Instagram, posting regularly with the right hashtags will not guarantee that your content reaches its intended audience.
Instead, think about how you can combine the latest Instagram algorithm updates with changing your approach to Instagram Marketing.
The Instagram feed and stories
The majority of the content you will see on your feed and in Stories are the most recent posts of followers you have. The algorithm of Instagram further tailors the order in which you see the feed posts and Stories. The primary indicators that are taken into account are:
- Basic information regarding the post or story. You can find information about how many likes it had received when uploaded and whether it contains any location tags.
- The information on the account responsible for this post. Details include how many users have interacted with the account over the past two weeks (i.e., do you think it’s a popular user?). The algorithm uses this information to estimate the likelihood you’ll be interested in the account’s posts.
- Your actions. It tracks the posts you’ve enjoyed, shared or shared, and saved. Then it uses that information to predict what kind of posts you’re most interested in.
- Your history of interactions for this particular account. You need to keep track of how much time you spend on your posts and posts. You may have also commented on their posts or loved them or saved them, or visited the profile page for the account.
Instagram analyzes all of this data and uses its educated guesses about what type of content is best to be displayed on every user’s feed.
In February 2022, Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s chief executive, introduced 2 new functions that will allow users to view their feed as they like:
- Following which places posts of accounts you’ve been following in chronological order within your feed.
- Favorites in HTML0, this puts your favorite posts of accounts that you are most active in your feed’s top spot. It is also possible to view these in chronological order.
Instagram’s algorithm can still tailor your feed by using the above-described signals.
Instagram’s Explore
Instagram’s Explore algorithm for pages is designed to let users explore new things. It utilizes similar signals to the Stories feed, but it utilizes them to organize and rank engaging content for individuals. The actions of users that the Explore algorithm is paying the greatest attention to are shares, saves, likes, and shares.
For instance, if the Instagram person is a big fan of Avengers films, Instagram may find other popular Marvel content to add to their Explore account and even other superhero-related content from other series, such as DC and Image.
To be featured on the person’s Explore page, use strategic hashtags, and be sure to take advantage of recent trends. For example, use the latest news or topics to rank your content higher on Explore pages.
Reels from Instagram Reels
Like Explore, users typically get Reels from accounts they do not follow. Instagram employs the same signals that it does for Explore, but it is focused on what can make the user smile. One of the factors Instagram is focused on is forecasting the likelihood that a user will view the video throughout.
To boost the visibility of your Reels, Share them on your feed first. Include hashtags as well as a location tag. Additionally, you should try to engage with Reels that appeal to your viewers. Reels are created to allow users to find you, so you’ll need to start an approach to increase the quality of the reach of your Reel content as quickly as you can.
You’re probably thinking about how the elements of Instagram’s algorithm can affect your personal Instagram advertising strategy. So let’s look at the various ways to alter your approach to be more visible to more of your clients.