All Instagram users are affected by changes to the platform’s algorithm – especially brands. You’re going to have to appease the ever-changing Instagram algorithm if you want this great Instagram content to actually reach a large audience.
The Instagram algorithm blends a number of factors to decide which posts should be prioritized and which should be pushed to the bottom of a user’s news feed.
In addition to updating the algorithm, Instagram will also reintroduce the ability to view your feed chronologically in 2022, as well as a curated list of recent posts from your favourite accounts.
However, even with these changes, the vast majority of your audience probably continues to view your default feed.
To develop an effective social media marketing strategy, it is vital to understand what Instagram considers to be worthwhile or important. We’ll look at the latest changes to the Instagram algorithm, so you can make sure your handcrafted social posts are seen.
Here’s how Instagram’s algorithm works
As Instagram points out, it really should be referred to as “the algorithms,” plural, since the algorithm determines which content is seen.
In a blog post entitled “Shedding More Light on How Instagram Works,” Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri wrote in 2021 that the service uses a variety of algorithms, classifiers, and processes.
“We believe that the best way to make the most of your time is to use technology to personalize your experience.”
Although your Feed and Stories, Explore tab and Reels are tailored differently to your relationship with followers and the relevance of your content, each section of the app takes these factors into account.
Basically, Feed and Stories, Explore and Reels are customized based on specific factors. We’ll get to that next, but it’s important to know that each section of the app also considers:
-How do you relate to your followers: Do you follow each other? Were you searched for by name? What do you say to each other? Are you tagging each other in posts?
-Content relevance: Instagram tracks user affinity and determines what is in a given photo or video so it can serve up the content people want (astrology memes, of course).
-The timely nature of your posting. The newest posts will always take precedence.
Instagram’s 2022 algorithm for feeds and stories
Based on the following factors, the Instagram algorithm sorts through the content of the accounts you follow and predicts how likely you are to interact with a post:
· Details about the post. What was the number of likes? When was it published? Was the location tagged? How long is the video? Instagram uses these signals to determine the relevance and popularity of a post.
· Details about the person who posted and your interaction with them. In order to learn how interesting a person might be to you, Instagram tracks how many times you’ve interacted with them (with comments, likes, profile views, and so on).
· All of your activity across the platform. Depending on how many and what kind of posts you interact with on Instagram, it can determine what kind of posts you might be interested in seeing.
Reels algorithm for Instagram in 2022
The algorithm pulls content from accounts you follow and from accounts you don’t follow, hoping to keep you entertained with something you’ll watch all the way through.
The following factors are considered:
· Your activity. Instagram uses signals like which reels you’ve liked, which you’ve commented on, and which you’ve engaged with to understand what kind of content would be relevant to you.
· Your interactions with the person who posted. You’re likely to get videos from creators you’ve never heard of (much like Explore), but Instagram also takes into account if you’ve interacted with them before. That’s probably why you see a lot of content from creators you know but haven’t followed yet.
· Information about the Reel. The Instagram algorithm tries to guess what the video is about based on the audio track and analysis of the pixels and frames, and takes into account the video’s popularity, too.
· Information about the poster. Is the original poster someone whose content is consistently liked and shared by an engaged audience? This is also considered by Instagram.
Having learned all about what Instagram values from its creators and users, now it’s time to put it to work for you.
Here are some tips to make Instagram work for you
While this list of variables may seem lengthy or complicated, the algorithm ultimately rewards quality, engaging content.
So, if you want to get an Instagram boost, just do what you would do to delight, entertain, or inform your audience.
Take Reels to the next level
Take advantage of Reels’ visibility opportunity by adding it to your content calendar. Instagram reels are one of its newest features, and the platform seems to be promoting them still.
Video should be short, sweet, and most importantly, fun. Reels are ranked based on their entertainment value.
Maximize your reach by scheduling your posts at the right time
Interaction with your audience is an important signal across the board on Instagram, so posting your content at the right time and on the right day can greatly increase your organic reach.
Use hashtags to your advantage
Instagram’s algorithm can’t comprehend and appreciate that cute picture of a cat in wire-rimmed glasses the way the human brain can (tragic), but it can comprehend the hashtag #catsofinstagram.
The best way to label your content is to use accurate and descriptive hashtags. The algorithm can better share your photo or post with people who are interested in that particular topic if it can determine what the photo or post is about.
As an added bonus, hashtags are free, unlike Instagram ads (the other way to expand reach beyond your existing audience).
When using hashtags, don’t just slap #loveandlight or #instagood on everything. Consider doing your research, digging around in your niche, and using hashtags that describe what your post is about.
Maintain consistency in posting
If you want to increase your reach, engagement, or subscribers, this is key. (This is because, of course, they are all related.)
Businesses post to their feed on average 1.6 times a day. While that might seem like too much for a mom-and-pop operation, rest assured that just showing up consistently (every weekday, for instance) is enough to keep things moving.
Instagram’s algorithm is always changing, so more algorithm updates are likely to come in future years. Creating engaging Instagram content is always a winning strategy, no matter what specific signals, features, or top-secret AI recipes the future holds.
Utilise Adson to beat the Instagram algorithm and save time managing your social media. You can schedule and publish content from a single dashboard, engage your audience, and measure your performance.
