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Understanding the Instagram Algorithm: What it Is and How It Works

Instagram has become one of the most important social media platforms for businesses as well as individual users. Not only does it have a large user base, but its users are also extremely active; there’s nothing passive about people who use Instagram. With over 700 million monthly active users and an average user spending almost an hour on the app every day, Instagram is a prime place for businesses to advertise their products and services. In fact, research by eMarketer found that by the end of this year, there will be almost 25 million more people using Instagram on mobile than there were in 2016.

By BelHakPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
Understanding the Instagram Algorithm: What it Is and How It Works
Photo by Souvik Banerjee on Unsplash

What is the Instagram Algorithm?

The Instagram algorithm is the secret formula behind the order in which posts appear in people’s feeds. And if you’re a brand that’s active on Instagram, you should know how this algorithm works and what you can do to make sure your feed is being shown to the right people. This is because the Instagram algorithm is designed to show users the content they are most likely to engage with, which means the most popular posts will be shown first. You can check out Instagram’s Help Center if you want to learn more about the algorithm, but unfortunately, Instagram isn’t very transparent when it comes to how the algorithm works. The best way to determine how the Instagram algorithm works is to look for trends within specific Instagram communities. For example, a popular online forum called Instagram Help has almost 60,000 members and tons of helpful information about the Instagram algorithm.

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How Does the Instagram Algorithm Work?

As we’ve already mentioned, Instagram is pretty secretive about how exactly its algorithm works, but there’s plenty of research from various experts and influencers to help us get an idea of what’s going on behind the scenes. According to experts such as Dr. Gary Strok, there are three main factors that the algorithm takes into account when deciding what posts will appear in your feeds. - Relevance: The algorithm looks at the relationship between the user and the person posting the content as well as the relationship between the user and the content itself. - Engagement: This is how likely users are to engage with posts, including likes, comments, shares, and clicks. - Timing: Posts that are published at the right time of day, week, and/or month will get more engagement.

Why is Instagram Focused on Video?

Instagram has become one of the biggest social media platforms for businesses and individuals. Not only does it have a large user base, but its users are extremely active; there’s nothing passive about people who use Instagram. Because of this, the platform is a prime place for businesses to advertise their products and services. Not only do businesses benefit from the free ease of use and built-in marketing tools, but they can also optimize their posts for video. With over 80% of online shoppers saying that video improves their purchase decision, brands and businesses have been steadily increasing their video posts on Instagram. However, with so many brands and businesses taking advantage of the platform and posting more and more videos, Instagram had to take action to ensure the feed doesn’t become too crowded.

How to Optimize Your Instagram Marketing Strategy

To make sure your Instagram marketing strategy is successful and that your posts are being shown to the right people, there are a few things you can do to ensure your feed is being prioritized. The first thing to do is make sure your profile is set up properly and that you’re following Instagram’s best practices. Next, simply publish great content on a regular basis. This doesn’t mean that you have to post 10 times a day or 15 times a week – it just means that you have to post something whenever it makes the most sense for your business. Instagram also offers some helpful tools for brands looking to optimize their feeds. These tools include insights, the ability to tag other accounts, the option to schedule posts, and the Explore section.

Bottom line

Instagram is a powerful social media channel that can be used to build brand awareness, increase customer engagement, and drive sales. However, in order for your posts to be shown to the right people, you must optimize your Instagram marketing strategy. Start by making sure your profile is set up properly and following Instagram’s best practices. Next, simply publish great content on a regular basis. Finally, optimize your feed by using Instagram’s helpful tools.

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