Cracking the Instagram Algorithm
While it might be tempting to post really nice looking selfies or nature pics, (since that's a lot of what you already see on Instagram) it may not be the best way to grow your account.
Key Takeaways
Engagement is a big factor on Instagram, but it's not as vital of a factor as it is on Facebook.
To work with Instagrams algorithm, post specific and post often.
Unsurprisingly, Instagrams algorithm is similar to that of their parent company, Meta (Facebook), but there are some key differences that are worth noting. But before we dive into the Instagram algorithm, we must first understand the current Facebook algorithm.
Engagement is everything.
On Facebook, whenever you put up a post that does really well getting more engagement than most of your other posts, the next post that you put out is really important. The reason for that is, since a bunch of people just engaged with one of your posts, the algorithm is going to rate your next post higher for those people.
If they don't engage with your next post, your ranking goes back down. But if they do engage with that next post, the algorithm brings your page even higher. And you can create a snowball effect that helps you to build an audience to maximize the potential engagement of that next post.
Investigate and try to determine what made your last post do so well:
Was it a particular topic that resonated with a certain audience?
Did you try a new format or style that paid off?
Look at the analytics on that post?
Who was your audience?
When were they looking at the post?
What devices?
Use all of this information to create that next post that gives you the best chance of getting more engagement and growing your audience from there.
Now for the Instagram Algorithm
Engagement is still a big factor on Instagram posts, but not as big factor compared to Facebook. The other main factors that determine a post’s priority are: relevancy and recency.
The relevancy factor is determined by interest in particular topics. So, if you follow a lot of football pages, the likelihood that you get recommendations for other pages or posts relating to football is very high. And the recency factor is pretty self explanatory. People are more likely to see your post right after you post it.
To work with Instagrams algorithm, post specific and post often.
Instead try to find your niche and post good quality pictures and videos about that as often as you can without sacrificing quality. Especially if you're a business, focus on posting things that are of interest to your target market that will go a long way in helping your account to grow.