The algorithm controls the content that you as an user see on Instagram. Every time you open the app, Instagram sorts the content that is available and which posts come at the top of your feed and in what order. And that also includes the posts that you get to see under the “explore” tab and in what order you get to see Instagram stories, Reels and IGTV.
In other words – Instagram’s algorithm controls all the organic content that you are exposed to in the app.
The content that you see in the app is based on your user behavior and the algorithm is based on these three categories:
Relationships
The algorithm assumes that you will be interested in the content that you have interacted with before, which is usually based on this:
- If you follow each other
- If you searched for the person
- If you have sent messages to each other or commented on each other’s posts
- If you have saved her posts
- If you tag each other in posts
Timelines
The most recently published posts consider the algorithm to be the most important to you. However, Instagram claims that all posts from the people you follow will appear at some point in your feed.
Interests
The task of the algorithm is ultimately to give you as a user the content you want. These are some factors that can control it:
- Frequency
If you have followers who are visiting Instagram 10 times in a day, they are more likely to see your posts compared to those who visit the app once a day.
- Number of followers
If you follow over 1000 people, you will probably see fewer posts from all of them compared to if you would have followed 100 people.
- Time
Those who spend a lot of time scrolling through their feed will see more posts than those who spend less time in the app, which may seem obvious.
So how should we work with Instagram’s algorithm to be visible on the platform in 2021?
Carousels = engagement.
Posts that arouse a lot of engagement seem to be rewarded with more reach. Of all content today, about 17% of posts are published as carousels. According to a study by Hootsuite, posts that are carousels get up to 1.4x higher reach and 3.1x higher engagement than other posts.
Activity pays off.
The basis of being visible on Instagram is to frequently publish content, regardless of whether your goal is to increase engagement, reach or number of followers.
There are no shortcuts
There are no shortcuts to getting a well-exposed Instagram account. Buying followers is not considered a sustainable concept when it comes to achieving results within your reach. What you should focus on is what you can do to generate value. To make more people want to follow you – build relationships and create a genuine account.
Ignore myths
Creators, verified accounts and business accounts are not boosted by the algorithm that many people may think, but the algorithm affects them in the same way as other accounts.
Dare to test new features
Instagram has not yet confirmed it, but if you look at previous features, the platform wants you as a user to test new features and therefore rewards those who test new, for example Reels which is Instagram’s latest addition.
Use Hashtags properly
Clear and well-thought-out hashtags help you as a user to find images with a specific content, but can also help the algorithm reach out to relevant users.
Publish your content when your target audience is active
To get your followers to interact with your content, it’s not just about publishing content that appeals to them, the taming is very important – publish your content when your target audience are most active on the platform. Therefore, you need to analyze your followers’ user behavior, monitor the world around them and also review when people are generally active. Think smart – When do you mainly check Instagram yourself? Maybe on the way to work between 7 and 8 in the morning or when you have lunch. The user spends an average of 30 minutes per day in the app. These are possibly some good times to publish your posts, however, you get the answer with the right analysis tool.
Engage your target audience
Something that is said to win over the algorithm is when you get a good relationship with your followers which means a high level of commitment. A benchmark for good engagement on Instagram is said to be between 1-5% and the average for business accounts is 0.85% and you get there by engaging them in some way that can mean throwing out an issue and creating an open dialogue – Be creative!
Automate more
Lastly, to be able to understand your target group, you need a good analysis tool for Instagram, to be able to measure your results no matter what your KPIs are, you need to follow them up if you want to improve them.
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