How does the Instagram algorithm work? The question is a topic that has been taken into consideration by content producers and brands in recent years and needs to be thought about. Most Instagram users, despite having a unique profile, have some difficulty in understanding how the algorithm works.
In this article, I will try to explain this complicated process for you in its simplest form. First of all, you should know; Instagram has more than one algorithm structure! How?
Instagram gives content producers and users many areas with feed posts, reels videos, live broadcasts, instagram stories and discovery pages. Having more than one area brings different algorithm approaches. If you want to have high engagement on Instagram, you need to know how the algorithms work.
Before delving into the workings of the algorithm, I recommend reading my article on Creating Quality Content on Instagram. Remember, content is everything! For original and engaging content, follow these 👇
What is Instagram Algorithm?
The Instagram algorithm evaluates the interactions received as a result of posts and user behavior on user pages. This evaluation is linked to the user’s interests and which content they are more in touch with.
The main purpose of the algorithm here is to bring more content that the person may be interested in. If you remember, in the early days of Instagram, it only showed feed posts and many of them were overlooked. In order for accounts to interact more with each other, they decided to develop a streaming system that sorts them according to ‘order of importance’.
Among the structures created in this direction:
- Instagram stories, where people tend to see more of their close friends.
- Explore is the space people use to discover new things.
- Reels is the area where content is produced to provide more pleasure, information or appeal to emotions.
How Does the Instagram Algorithm Work?
Instagram algorithm is shaped according to users’ interests and behaviors. I mentioned above that Instagram tabs have their own unique algorithm. Here’s what you need to know before looking at how the algorithm works according to tabs:
- The Instagram algorithm ranks accounts that bring users to the platform and keep them on the app for a long time.
- If your account receives frequent visitors and keeps them on the app for a long time, the Instagram algorithm will expose both your page and your content to more people.
- The algorithm examines page followings, interactions, messaged accounts and our reactions to featured ads.
In a nutshell, the Instagram algorithm determines which post or video is ranked in your home page feed entirely according to you. For example, the ‘explore’ tab consists entirely of common interests with you and other accounts you follow. To learn the Instagram algorithm’s own systematics:
Feed Posts
The Instagram feed tab consists of your home page feed. The content you see in this area is sorted according to which accounts we interact with. The content you see on the home page is entirely related to the time you spend in that area. When you like and review an account or post, the feed feature is activated and the relevant account starts to appear more often.
Reels Videos
The main purpose of the Instagram Reels tab is to present the user with content that is relevant to their interests. Compared to the feed area, Reels videos focus not only on your interests, but also on content that can entertain you.
In this respect, it is similar to the Discover tab.
Explore Page
The Instagram discover area is designed to bring up accounts or videos with the types of content we interact with, along with our interests. Any post you watch or review in this area will have a direct impact on how the algorithm works.
Instagram Stories
The Instagram stories area is shaped by the accounts you interact with the most. In this area, you’ll see content from people whose stories you frequently reply to, and posts from accounts you’re in constant contact with. The basic principle of the algorithm here is that it wants to make sure you don’t miss content.
Instagram Lives (IGTV)
Similar to other tabs, Instagram live broadcasts area is shaped according to the live broadcasts you follow.
Here, just like in other tabs, the algorithm tends to show the types of live broadcasts that you have watched and interacted with before.
Factors affecting the live streaming algorithm:
- Account age and engagement
Newly opened accounts may be less visible than older, active accounts.
- Account Verification
Verified accounts on Instagram can attract more engagement as they seem to give a more trustworthy image.
- Live stream quality
High quality live streams provide higher visibility because they keep the user engaged with the broadcast.
- Account Type
Business accounts can get more visibility than individual accounts.
Your Instagram account may be an individual account that has not yet been verified. If the examples I have given above do not match your personal account, do not panic!!!
Because in order to convert from the algorithm, we first need to understand the working logic of the algorithm. In the light of the information I have given above, you can turn your Instagram account into a more up-to-date, active profile and bring your account conversions to unexpected stages in a short time.
Now that you have grasped the logic of the Instagram algorithm, here are other things to consider when creating your content:
- How to use hashtags on social media?
- How to follow social media trends?
- 2024 Instagram Rankings
- and most importantly, How to do Instagram SEO?
You can come out of the content works you will proceed by paying attention to the issues by pleasing the algorithm 💪
