The Instagram algorithm is the computer program used by the social media platform to determine which posts and accounts to show users in their feed, Explore pages, and search results. The algorithm uses a variety of factors to decide what content to show, including:
- Engagement: The more engagement a post gets (likes, comments, saves, shares), the more likely it is to be shown to a larger audience.
- Relevancy: The algorithm tries to show users content that is relevant to their interests and behavior, based on their past activity on the platform.
- Timeliness: Recent posts are given priority over older ones, so the algorithm favors accounts that post regularly.
- Relationships: The algorithm takes into account the accounts a user interacts with most frequently and will show them more content from those accounts.
- Profile Searches: The algorithm considers the accounts that users frequently search for and may display their content higher in the feed.
- Consistency: Consistent posting schedules can help increase the chances of your content being seen.
- Video Views: The algorithm also considers the number of views a video has received, particularly in the case of Instagram Reels. The more views a Reel has, the more likely it is to be shown to a larger audience. This is because Instagram is actively promoting Reels as a way to compete with other short-form video platforms like TikTok.
It’s important to note that the Instagram algorithm is constantly evolving and changing, so it’s important for users and businesses to stay up-to-date on best practices and trends to optimize their content’s visibility.