Other algorithms?! 💀 🙀 🙅
Hate to break it to you, but YES. The Instagram algorithm works a little bit different for feed posts, Stories, the Explore page, IGTV videos, and Instagram Reels.Â
Don’t freak out, though. There are only slight difference between the algorithms. Read below for what you need to know about each algorithm.
“The more likely you are to take an action, and the more heavily we weigh that action, the higher up you’ll see the post. We add and remove signals and predictions over time, working to get better at surfacing what you’re interested in.”
Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram
FEED POSTS
The algorithm’s job is to determine how likely someone is to interact with a post. This is known as a score of interest. This ultimately determines the order in which posts are displayed in a user’s feed. Things it takes into account:
- Information about the post
- Information about the poster
- Your past activity
- Your past interaction with the poster
- Interactions tracked: time spent, like, comment, save, tap on profile
STORIES
Typically, Instagram Stories that appear at the start of your feed are from accounts that you engage with the most.
More views on your Stories, the better your ranking will be.
TIP: post consistently to show up consistently
EXPLORE PAGE
The Explore page algorithm takes similar engagement triggers into account, but instead of delivering content from accounts you follow, the Explore page is made up mostly of content from accounts you DON’T follow.
With new search functionality, the Explore page is constantly evolving. This means that your images and videos and captions can play a role in your content ranking on the Explore page.
IGTV
For IGTV videos, the algorithm focuses on delivering content that people are most likely to engage with based on past interactions with the account as well with types of content they have engaged with previously as well.
Reels
Instagram has said that creators should focus on Reels that are “entertaining, inspiring, or experimental and use creative tools like text, camera effects, or filters.” Using trending audio or Remixes is also a way to increase your ranking.
Avoid low quality videos, or videos that are clearly and visibly repurposed from other platforms (i.e. if they have the TikTok watermark).
Remember this…
Ultimately, the algorithm’s main job is to decide how likely someone is to engage with a piece of content and serve up the content they are most likely to engage with.
Also remember…
The longer people are on the app, the more money 🤑 IG makes. The better job you do at keeping people on the app, the more the algorithm will reward you. Create your content accordingly!