Have you ever posted your own photo on Instagram but weren’t satisfied with the number of likes it received? No doubt, you’ve wondered why some posts get more likes compared to others. This is where a famous term in the world of social media comes into play: Instagram algorithms.
You might also wonder:
- What is the best time to post to achieve maximum interaction?
- How can you get your photos seen by the largest number of people?
Keeping up with Instagram’s algorithms and trying to catch up with them is somewhat like trying to hit a moving target. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, they go and change it again.
But once you understand it and uncover its secrets, you’ll be able to do everything from creating successful content to gaining more followers. In this article, we’ll break down Instagram’s algorithms for each type of content and also explore specific strategies and tactics to ensure maximum reach to your followers.
What Are Instagram Algorithms?
Instagram algorithms refer to the complex system used to determine the order in which posts appear to users. In other words, it’s the set of processes Instagram uses to understand what users like, and the platform uses this information to show people more of what they enjoy by predicting the content they’ll find interesting and engaging.
To achieve this, Instagram’s algorithms analyze various factors, such as the types of posts or pages each person interacts with, to prioritize content believed to be the most relevant and appealing to each user. Although Instagram hasn’t publicly revealed the details of its algorithm, there are some key factors believed to influence it.
Contrary to popular belief, there isn’t just one powerful algorithm used on Instagram. In fact, each section of Instagram—whether it’s Reels, Stories, or regular posts and photos—has its own dedicated algorithm.
How Do Instagram Algorithms Work?
Each section of Instagram has a different algorithm that uses unique signals or information about the post or the person who posted it to predict what users will like most and what content will appear first on their Explore page.
From the time a photo or post is published to the number of likes your content receives, these signals are weighted differently in each part of the platform to rank posts. For example, when clicking on Stories, people are more likely to want to see content from their friends. But if they’re scrolling through the main Feed page, they want to see something new.
Ultimately, Instagram’s goal is to make users’ time on the platform worthwhile by showing them what they’ll enjoy and what’s most relevant to them.
How Does the Instagram Reels Algorithm Work?
There’s no doubt that knowing how to crack the Reels algorithm on Instagram is a huge advantage for anyone looking to grow and expand their account. Just like regular posts, Instagram prioritizes Reels videos based on what it thinks viewers are most likely to engage with, using a set of signals to help rank content.
According to Instagram, brands and creators should create Reels that are entertaining or inspiring and use creative tools like text, camera effects, or filters. You should also avoid posting low-quality Reels, those that are too blurry, already exist on Instagram, or are obviously recycled from another app. According to Instagram’s algorithm, these types of Reels will be deprioritized, meaning they’re less likely to appear across the app.
Here are the key signals Instagram’s algorithm uses to determine which Reels to show users:
- User Engagement: Which Reels has someone interacted with recently? (e.g., likes, comments, shares.)
- Interaction History: Have you interacted with the person who posted the Reel before? While Reels aim to reach new people, past interactions indicate interest, giving them priority.
- Content: What audio or music is being used? How is the quality?
- The Poster: How popular is the person who posted it?
Here’s a summary of what to avoid when posting Reels and how Instagram’s algorithms work for posts and stories, translated into English:
What to Avoid When Posting Reels
Just as you can gain a lot of points by following the algorithm, you can also lose points if you make certain mistakes. These mistakes include:
- Using low-quality videos.
- Posting videos with watermarks (including TikTok logos).
- Using videos without sound.
- Overloading videos with text.
- Sharing political content.
- Violating Instagram’s community guidelines.
How Post and Story Algorithms Work
Instagram Stories
Typically, the algorithms for posts and stories prioritize content from accounts you interact with frequently, rather than the type or nature of the content. As Instagram stated on its blog, posts and stories are places where people want to see content from their friends, family, and those closest to them.
Therefore, the content itself is less important than how much you interact with the accounts posting it. This means your stories are shown to people who frequently engage with your stories, rather than a specific target audience.
When it comes to stories specifically, Instagram says it considers a variety of signals, with the most prominent being:
- View history: How often you view a particular account’s stories.
- Engagement history: How often you interact with a particular account’s stories.
- Closeness: Your overall relationship with the story’s creator.
So, it’s a good idea to share Instagram stories that encourage engagement. Poll stickers, question stickers, and quizzes are all great ways to drive interactions.
Key Signals Used by Post and Story Algorithms
Here are the main signals Instagram’s algorithms use to predict what will interest users the most:
- The content itself:
- How many likes and comments does the post or story have?
- When was it posted?
- If it’s a video, how long is it?
- Is it tagged with a location? If so, which one?
- The creator:
- How often have users interacted with the creator’s content in recent weeks?
- How interested are users in the creator?
- User activity:
- How many posts has the user liked, and what were they about?
- Interaction history:
- How interested is the user in content from a specific account?
- How often do they comment on that account’s posts?
By avoiding the mistakes listed above and understanding how Instagram’s algorithms prioritize content, you can improve your engagement and reach on the platform. Let me know if you need further clarification
Here’s a summary of what to avoid in your posts and stories, as well as how the Instagram Explore page algorithm works, translated into English:
What to Avoid in Your Posts and Stories
- Overposting:
Instagram tries to avoid showing too many posts from one person to users in a row. Posting excessively can overwhelm your audience and reduce engagement. - Violating Instagram’s Community Guidelines:
Breaking these rules can lead to your content being hidden or your account being penalized. - Sharing Misinformation:
If you repeatedly share false information, Instagram may make all your content—not just one post—harder to find. This can significantly reduce your reach.
How the Instagram Explore Page Algorithm Works
If you’ve ever liked a lot of dance videos and then found your entire Explore page filled with dance content, you already have an idea of how the Explore algorithm works. It decides what to show you based on two main factors:
- Your past interactions.
- Accounts that like similar content to what you engage with.
This helps Instagram get to know you better and suggest new posts and accounts you might enjoy.
Key Signals Used by the Instagram Explore Algorithm
- The Content Itself:
- How popular is the post?
- How quickly is it receiving likes, comments, shares, and saves?
- Interaction History:
If you’ve interacted with someone who appears on your Explore page, they’re more likely to show up again. - User Activity:
- What types of posts do you like, save, or comment on?
- How have you interacted with the Explore page in the past?
- Information About the Poster:
How popular has their content been recently?
What to Avoid to Appear on Explor
The most important tip here is to ensure your posts do not violate Instagram’s community guidelines. Avoid sharing sensitive or controversial content, as this will prevent your content from being featured on the Explore page.
By following these guidelines and understanding how the Explore algorithm works, you can increase your chances of reaching a wider audience and growing your presence on Instagram. Let me know if you need further assistance!
Here’s a summary of the tips for leveraging Instagram’s algorithms to your advantage, translated into English:
Tips for Using Instagram’s Algorithms to Your Benefit
After reading the previous section, you’re likely eager to use these algorithms to reach more users. Keep in mind that if your engagement on Instagram is lower than expected, it’s not always solely due to the algorithm. However, the following tips will help you prepare for the future, adapt to Instagram’s algorithm updates, and create exceptional content with a deeper understanding of how the platform works.
Here are five tips to add to your strategy to work with Instagram’s algorithm:
1. Post Consistently, Focusing on Video
Remember, Instagram’s algorithm won’t show too many posts from one account in a row. However, it heavily emphasizes how often people have interacted with an account in recent weeks. Posting infrequently reduces your reach to users and followers. The key is finding a balance between overposting and underposting.
- Start by posting 1-2 times per day, then adjust based on what works best for you. Experiment to find the right mix of content types.
- Stories are a powerful tool for reaching more users. They help you stay at the top of the feed throughout the day without overposting or spamming your followers.
- While Instagram started with photos, video content is now essential. According to the Sprout Social Index, 66% of consumers find short-form video content the most engaging. Use Stories, Reels, or other short video formats to attract and engage your audience.
2. Create High-Quality, Engaging Content
Focus on producing content that resonates with your audience. High-quality visuals, compelling captions, and interactive elements (like polls, questions, or quizzes) can boost engagement and help your posts perform better.
3. Encourage Interactions
The algorithm prioritizes content that generates meaningful interactions. Ask questions, create shareable content, and respond to comments to foster engagement.
4. Use Relevant Hashtags and Tag
Hashtags and tags help your content reach a broader audience. Use a mix of popular and niche hashtags to increase discoverability.
5. Analyze and Adapt
Regularly review your Instagram Insights to understand what’s working and what’s not. Adjust your strategy based on performance metrics like reach, impressions, and engagement rates.
By following these tips, you can better align your content with Instagram’s algorithms and grow your presence on the platform. Let me know if you’d like further clarification or additional strategies
Here’s a summary of the tips for leveraging Instagram’s algorithms to your advantage, translated into English:
2. Craft Compelling Captions Using Keywords and Hashtags
Don’t wait for the algorithm to push your content to new followers—use keywords to bring your content to them. Keywords are now searchable on Instagram, making it easier for future followers to discover your content.
How to do it? Optimize your Instagram account for SEO by including relevant keywords in the following areas:
- Captions: Write compelling captions that include natural keywords and phrases to help users find your content.
- Hashtags: Remember, hashtags are also searchable on Instagram. Use a mix of popular and niche hashtags to increase visibility.
- Bio: Your bio should clearly describe your brand or the type of content you offer. Include keywords that people might search for, even if they don’t know your account name.
3. Encourage Audience Interaction and Engagement
Audience engagement is crucial for leveraging Instagram’s algorithms and reaching more followers. Likes, comments, shares, and saves can boost your content’s ranking—or, if ignored, hurt it entirely.
Here are some creative ways to spark conversations and encourage engagement:
- Ask questions: Encourage your audience to comment by asking open-ended questions. For example: “What are your goals for this year?” or “What content would you like to see more of?”
- Create challenges or puzzles: Post riddles or quizzes to engage your audience and encourage them to comment with their guesses.
- Tag a friend: Encourage followers to tag a friend who might relate to your post.
- Use story stickers: Boost engagement on your Stories by using interactive stickers like polls, quizzes, or question boxes.
4. Post When Your Followers Are Most Active
Timing is a critical factor for posts, Stories, and Reels. The more active your followers are when you post, the more early engagement your content will receive. This signals to the algorithm that your content is popular, helping it spread faster.
To find the best times to post, use Instagram’s native analytics:
- Open the app and go to your profile.
- Tap Professional Dashboard > See All next to Account Insights.
- Tap Total Followers and scroll down to Most Active Times.
This will show you when your followers are most active throughout the week.
5. Create High-Quality Content
To truly make the algorithm work in your favor, create content that inspires your audience to engage. Remember, your content is for your audience, so always keep them in mind when creating posts.
To understand what your audience loves, dive into your data:
- Instagram’s native analytics provide a basic overview of your audience and top-performing posts from the last 90 days.
- For deeper insights, use tools like Sprout Social’s Post Performance Report to analyze which posts resonate most with your audience. Sort by metrics that matter most to you, such as engagement, reach, or saves.
By focusing on high-quality, audience-centric content, you’ll build stronger connections and improve your performance on Instagram.
By following these tips, you can align your strategy with Instagram’s algorithms and grow your presence on the platform. Let me know if you need further clarification or additional strategies!
Here’s the conclusion of the article, translated into English:
In Conclusion
In this article, we’ve explored Instagram’s key algorithms for posts, Stories, Reels, and the Explore page, and shared important tips to improve reach and increase engagement.
However, it’s important to remember that when it comes to Instagram’s algorithm, the only constant is change and uncertainty. New algorithms are constantly being rolled out, but after reading this article, you’re now equipped with the knowledge to adapt and work with them effectively.
One of the most important elements that will always help you stay ahead of the algorithm and reach a larger audience is staying organized. Check out our previous article on creating professional social media content to keep your strategy organized and your content consistent. Don’t forget to subscribe to our website to receive our latest articles as soon as they’re published!
