The algorithm is an automated digital strategy that ALL social networks and computers use to keep users engaged online. The social media algorithm helps maintain order and improve your brand management so you can dominate. Do you ever wonder why certain posts show in your feed before others? Well, the algorithm is the explanation of why you are exposed to different posts, images, or advertisements, which is all based on your activity and who you engage with most online. For example, the Instagram algorithm will likely show posts from your close friends and family before others on your timeline as you probably interact most with them. Each social platform’s algorithm is constantly working behind the scenes to make your experience online more enjoyable without you even knowing! Though SEO, brand management, and content marketing play a HUGE role in exposing your business’s content to your target market, social media algorithms take the reins of determining which content to deliver to you based on your specific online behaviour. We want to help you combat your digital marketing strategy so YOU can be featured to users before your competitors.
Social media algorithms are always changing. This is why it can be difficult to keep up with the latest online marketing trends. Without the algorithm, it would be nearly impossible to filter through the never-ending digital content out there. Did you know? In July 2016, the Instagram algorithm caused users to be missing 70 percent of all posts and 50 percent of their friends’ posts. Because of this issue, the app was receiving negative feedback from users, so they decided to try a brand-new approach and scrap the reverse-chronological feed. Now, years after the new platform strategy began, Instagram HQ says sorting has led to its 800 million-plus users seeing 90 percent of their friends’ posts AND spending more time on the app overall. Some platforms, like Instagram, are transparent about their techniques and lay out some ground rules to stay on top of the algorithm and keep users updated:
What shows up first in your feed is determined by what posts and accounts you engage with the most, as well as other contributing factors such as the timeliness of posts, how often you use Instagram, how many people you follow, etc.
— Instagram (@instagram) January 22, 2019