Instagram is one of the top social media platforms, with over 2 billion active users each month.
On average, these users spend about 15 hours and 50 minutes on the app monthly, making it a prime space for businesses and brands to connect with their audience.
In fact, 90% of Instagram users follow at least one business account, proving how effective the platform is for brand engagement.
To succeed on Instagram, it’s important to understand how the platform operates. Recently, Instagram made significant updates to its algorithm—or more accurately, its algorithms.
Back in 2022, the focus shifted toward video content, messaging, and monetization for creators. By 2023, it pivoted to emphasize engagement, connection, creativity, and discovery.
Now, in 2024, Instagram has refined its Reels algorithm to prioritize original content over reposts. So how exactly can you use these changes to boost your presence and grow your audience?
That’s what we’re about to explore.
What is the Instagram algorithm?
The Instagram algorithm is essentially a set of rules that determine how content is ranked and displayed across the platform. It decides what content appears in your feed, on the Explore page, in the Reels feed, and beyond.
The Instagram Feed Algorithm
The feed is like your personal home base. Every time you open Instagram, it’s where you land. Here, you’ll see posts from accounts you follow, alongside recommended content and ads. The algorithm ranks posts based on several key factors:
- Your activity and interaction history
Instagram analyzes how you’ve interacted with posts in the past—whether you’ve liked, commented, shared, or saved them. It even tracks how often you scroll, how long your sessions last, and which accounts you tend to engage with the most. - Post-specific information
The algorithm looks at how popular a post is by tracking likes, comments, saves, and shares, as well as how quickly it gains these interactions. It also factors in the timing of the post and the type of content (e.g., carousel, video). For videos, length matters too. - Account-specific information
The activity surrounding the account that posted is crucial. How often does the account post? How frequently do people engage with its content? These insights help the algorithm gauge whether the account is worth showing you more frequently.
Instagram Feed Algorithm Tips for Businesses and Creators
Now that you know how the algorithm works, how can you increase your visibility on Instagram? Here are some actionable tips for optimizing your feed posts:
1. Follow Instagram’s Community Guidelines
This might sound basic, but it’s crucial. Whether you’re posting to the Feed, Reels, or Stories, content that violates Instagram’s Community Guidelines won’t perform well.
Sharing misinformation, graphic content, or even low-quality images and videos can significantly limit your visibility.
Pro Tip: Think you’re shadowbanned? It might be due to a breach in the guidelines!
2. Drive Engagement
Engagement is king on Instagram. While views are great, interactions like likes, comments, shares, and saves are way more important.
Make it a habit to encourage your audience to interact with your posts—whether it’s through asking questions, running contests, or creating share-worthy content.
Question for you: What’s one way you could inspire more comments on your next post?
3. Post at Optimal Times
Posting at the right time can dramatically increase your reach. Audience interaction is a crucial ranking factor, so timing your posts when your audience is most active will work in your favor.
4. Use the Right Hashtags
Hashtags help Instagram understand what your post is about, increasing the chances it will reach the right audience.
The best part?
Unlike ads, hashtags are totally free!
Interactive Tip: Take a moment to brainstorm three hashtags that best describe your latest post. Drop them below!
5. Tag Your Location
Just like hashtags, tagging your location gives Instagram more information about your post. This allows your content to be shared with users in the same area.
Bonus: Users searching for posts tagged in specific locations will find your content.
Hot tip: Next time you’re out and about, don’t forget to add that location tag!
6. Be Consistent
Consistency is key whether you want to boost engagement, expand your reach, or grow your followers. Posting consistently keeps your account active in your audience’s feed.
For businesses, it’s recommended to post 3-5 times per week, but if that’s overwhelming, start with a regular schedule (like weekdays only) to keep things manageable.
Pro Tip: Get ahead of the game by creating a social media content calendar and use scheduling tools to automate your posts. It’s a real time-saver!
Final Thoughts: Keep Up with the Algorithm
Instagram’s algorithm is constantly evolving, so staying on top of changes is crucial for growth. By focusing on engaging content, optimizing your posting strategy, and following best practices, you’ll keep your audience interested and your brand thriving.
Now, are you ready to up your Instagram game?