3 tips to beat the Instagram algorithm and stand out on the network
For those who work with content production and social media management, the Instagram algorithm can sometimes be a true nightmare.
After all, it is through this set of rules and codes called an algorithm that the network defines.
which posts to deliver to each follower with the purpose of offering the best possible experience for everyone.
With this, a profile can see its reach increase or decrease, as well as its engagement and overall brand performance. If the results are positive, it’s great. But if they’re negative, they certainly become a headache for marketing professionals.
That’s why in this article we’ve gathered everything you need to know to understand how the algorithm works of Instagram and use it to your advantage to stand out on the network. Keep reading to find out more!
How the Instagram algorithm works
Previously, the content that appeared on the Instagram feed was defined by the chronological order of posts, but now the network considers factors aiming to bring the best experiences to people.
This means that its algorithm was developed to deliver to users what is most relevant to them at the moment they access their profiles and start scrolling through the feed or viewing stories.
To define what is considered important, Instagram works based on three main pillars: interest, relationship, and time. Let’s get to know them.
Interest
As the user uses Instagram, the network records their main interests and prioritizes profiles and topics that are most relevant to them
If they like posts related to travel or sports, for example, it’s normal for content or accounts related to these topics to appear first.
Just spend 5 minutes in the Explore section to see how much the Instagram algorithm was developed to try to deliver the right message to the right people
After all, if a person first sees the content they are truly interested in, the greater the chances that they will engage and spend more time on the network, right?
Relationship
Speaking of engagement another point taken into consideration by the Instagram algorithm is how much the user interacts with the contents of a particular profile.
It’s no wonder that when we open the network, posts from friends, family, and close people appear right away. The goal is to continue to strengthen relationships through Instagram and prolong the interaction time there
To make this happen, the network considers what you like, your comments, searches, shares with friends, and whom you converse with via direct messages.
Time
Wait, but didn’t they say at the beginning of the text that the chronological order had been abandoned in the development of the new Instagram algorithm? Yes, that’s true, but it also doesn’t mean that temporality isn’t taken into consideration along with other factors.
Even though the posts are not presented in chronological order, the network still follows the rule that followers want to see new content each time they visit the feed or stories.
However, it’s worth remembering that this criterion goes hand in hand with engagement. If a post has a good interaction rate in the first few hours, it will likely remain relevant for a longer period.
How to use the new Instagram algorithm to your advantage
Now that we understand how the Instagram algorithm works, it’s time to discover how to use it to your advantage so that your brand or client can gain more visibility on the network. Below, we’ve selected three tips aligned with each of the criteria listed above. Check them out.
1. Spark interest
To spark the interest of your followers, the first and most important step is to align the content you share very well with your personas.
Understand your audience’s pain, their needs and even the ideal language to use with them is essential for getting people to engage and see your brand as relevant.
Moreover, there are several tools that Instagram itself offers to create more interactive posts that are interesting for users.
For example, stories offer resources like polls, quizzes, and question boxes. Reels allow recording of shorter, more dynamic videos, while the feed enables the posting of carousels with denser content and IGTV allows sharing of longer duration videos.
Another feature that is also very relevant to help reach the right people is hashtags. They should be aligned with your content and business type to help your posts be found.
2. Build relationships
When it comes to building relationships on Instagram there are several practices that can help your profile become more relevant to followers.
Besides the interaction tips given above, like using the question box or polls in stories, it’s also important to always end your feed and Reels posts with a clear call to action (CTA).
You can suggest that the user tag a friend, share their experience with the topic, or share the content with someone who will also enjoy it.
However, it’s important to remember that more important than encouraging an action is to continue a conversation started in your posts.
That is, never stop responding to comments, pay attention, and create a connection with followers. This will make them feel closer to the brand and more comfortable to strengthen the relationship.
3. Always share new content
In our last topic, we couldn’t forget to talk about the issue of temporality, of course. To spark interest and build relationships, it’s essential to maintain consistency in postings.
This doesn’t mean you need to post all the time, but you should establish a frequency and respect it when sharing your news with the audience.
Another point that also helps is knowing what the best days and times to post. Discovering when most of your audience is online and interacting is a great way to ensure your content engages right in the first few hours it’s online.
As this step requires knowledge of your followers’ behavior on the network, it’s necessary to conduct tests and analyses to adopt a more efficient strategy.
By combining all these tips and knowing how to apply them to your brand’s reality, you can see that beating the Instagram algorithm isn’t that difficult, is it?
Want to know more about how to use the new Instagram algorithm to your advantage? Then also read the article Engagement on Instagram: 7 tips to increase your brand’s engagement rate
