Are you spending time crafting content for Instagram? Have you cultivated a loyal, engaged following?
The truth is that producing great content and having a high follower count doesn’t necessarily mean your content is going to reach your followers. That’s because you need to understand how Instagram’s ever-changing algorithm works to set your posts up for success.
Ready to make sure your Instagram content reaches your followers? We’ve put together everything you need to know about Instagram’s algorithm. Plus we reveal the factors that shape its decision-making process so that you can stay ahead of the competition and maximize your brand’s potential.
What is the Instagram algorithm?
The Instagram algorithm plays a vital role in determining the visibility of your content on the platform. It uses a set of rules to rank and distribute content to users.
By analyzing metadata, including captions, alt text, hashtags, and engagement metrics, the algorithm tries to deliver content that aligns with each users’ interests and preferences.
The Instagram algorithm considers both the content itself (such as Reels, feed posts, and Stories) as well as specific user information (like a person’s interests and behavior) to personalize and tailor each user’s experience on the platform.
Instagram’s CEO, Adam Mosseri, refers to this process as “ranking,” emphasizing the platform’s goal to provide the most value to every user.
By understanding the Instagram algorithm and setting up the right content strategies, you can ensure your followers are served your content and even boost the visibility of your content with new, untapped audiences, too.
How does the Instagram algorithm work?
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Here’s the bit you’ve been waiting for: how does the Instagram algorithm decide what content to show to your followers?
Let’s break down the key factors the algorithm considers when ranking content to help you set your posts up for success.
Factor 1. Authentic connections
The Instagram algorithm considers the relationship between creators and viewers and takes into account indicators such as any mutual followers, past DMs, and comments to determine the depth of connection.
When users have repeatedly interacted with a specific account, they are more likely to see the new content that the account posts.
For businesses, actively engaging with your audience, responding to comments, and fostering meaningful conversations increase the chance of your content appearing in your followers’ feeds.
Factor 2. User interests
Personalization is at the heart of the Instagram algorithm. It’s all about delivering content that resonates with each user’s unique interests and preferences.
By analyzing the types of content users engage with most, the algorithm gains insights into the user’s passions and curates their feeds accordingly. Understanding your audience’s interests and tailoring your content to align with them will significantly increase your reach and grab your followers’ attention.
Factor 3. Relevance and timeliness
Relevance is the key to staying ahead in the Instagram algorithm game. Instagram carefully reviews the fit of each piece of content within trending topics and considers the timeliness of posts.
Recent posts are considered more relevant than older ones, as Instagram strives to provide users with up-to-date and engaging content.
By creating timely and relevant content that aligns with current trends, you position yourself as a go-to source for your audience. Keeping your finger on the pulse of industry happenings allows you to craft content that is not only engaging but also captivatingly current.
Secondary factors
Beyond the primary factors mentioned above, there are also a bunch of secondary factors that how the Instagram algorithm ranks content:
• Users who use Instagram less frequently will see a condensed feed that showcases only the most relevant content when they do log in. As a result, businesses may face increased competition from family and friends for limited visibility in such users’ feeds.
• Users who follow a large number of accounts may see less content from each individual account, while those who follow a select few accounts are more likely to see posts from their closest friends or favorite accounts.
• A user’s session time on the app can impact the content shown. Short browsing sessions may prioritize the most relevant posts, while longer sessions may offer a more extensive catalog of fresh content to explore.
Tips for boosting your Instagram content reach
Maximizing your content’s visibility and engagement is key to growing your audience. Here are some effective strategies to boost your reach and connect with more users on the platform.
1. Respect the community guidelines
Instagram’s algorithms limit the visibility of content that goes against the app’s Community Guidelines. Avoid sharing misinformation, political content, sensitive material, and low-resolution media to ensure wider distribution of your content.
2. Make original content
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Instagram values original content over reposted or reshared content. Be creative and come up with unique ideas for your posts. Use your original audio for Reels, create distinct and informative captions, and approach topics from new perspectives.
3. Schedule your posts at the right time
Posting your content on the right day and time can significantly impact your organic reach. Use tools like Plann’s Analytics tool to determine the best times to post based on your audience’s behavior.
4. Encourage engagement
Engagement is crucial on Instagram, and it affects your reach. Likes, comments, shares, and saves matter more than views. Encourage your audience to engage with your content by asking questions, hosting giveaways, and creating highly shareable posts.
5. Respond to DMs and comments
Engaging with your audience by responding to direct messages and comments builds trust and encourages further engagement. Show your followers that there are real people behind your brand by being responsive and interactive.
6. Use relevant hashtags
Hashtags help Instagram understand the content of your posts and put them in front of the right audience. Use relevant hashtags to increase your reach and attract users interested in your content.
Not sure which hashtags to use? Plann’s Hashtag Manager will curate the perfect set of high-performing hashtags to maximize your reach and engagement.
7. Tag your location
Location tags provide Instagram with vital information about your post and help it reach people in your area. Tagging your location increases the visibility of your content to users searching for posts published in that specific area.
8. Post consistently
Consistency is key to improving reach, engagement, and follower growth. Whether it’s multiple times a day, or a few times a week, what’s most important is showing up consistently, finding a routine, and keeping the momentum going.
Want to take the hard work and hassle out of posting consistently? Plann’s Instagram Scheduling tools you can schedule and auto-post your content to streamline your workflows.
9. Use trending sounds
Incorporate trending songs into your Instagram Reels to increase your chances of reaching new audiences. When a song is trending, the algorithm shows users more videos with the same song, expanding your content’s reach.
10. Track your analytics
Regularly review your analytics to gain insights into what’s working for your content, posting times, and hashtags. Use an Instagram analytics tool to understand your audience’s online presence, identify top-performing hashtags, and measure engagement.
By implementing these strategies, you can boost your reach on Instagram, connect with a larger audience, and cultivate a thriving community around your brand.
Remember, building a strong online presence takes time and consistency. Stay focused, adapt to the ever-changing landscape, and watch your reach and content results soar.
Ready to take your Instagram game to the next level?
Looking for an all-in-one solution for seamless social media management? Look no further than Plann, the ultimate content creation suite. Whether you’re refining your strategy, crafting captivating visuals, or repurposing your content, Plann has everything you need.
Go on, and redeem your 7-day free trial of Plann Plus. If you don’t like it, keep using Plann for free!
