Decoding the Instagram Algorithm: Strategies to Boost Your Visibility and Engagement

The Meta Family (a.k.a Instagram and Facebook) holds the key to who sees what on their feed. It can often feel hopeless for content creators to crack the code with the ever-changing algorithm. Shorter videos, longer videos, longer captions…the list goes on.

But fear not, we’ve got some tips to help you navigate these digital waters and up your visibility and engagement.

Getting to grips with the Instagram algorithm

First things first, let’s talk about what makes the Instagram algorithm tick.

• Engagement is king: Likes, comments, shares, saves – these are the golden tickets to algorithmic success. The more love your post gets, the more likely it is to show up on people’s feeds.
• Be close with your audience: Instagram’s algorithm is all about knowing what its users like. So, if you’ve got a loyal fan base who engage with your content regularly, you’re in luck – your posts are more likely to get the spotlight. Respond to comments, DMs and stories – it keeps you closer to your followers.
• Stay relevant: Instagram wants to keep its users happy by showing them stuff they’re into. That means your content needs to be on-point and tailored to your audience’s interests. Stay up to date with trends and current events and incorporate those themes into your content. From credit unions to restaurants to electric companies, there’s always a way to stay involved in the digital conversations.
• Timing is everything: While Instagram isn’t a slave to the chronological feed anymore, being fashionably late still pays off. Posting when your audience is most active can give your content a boost. Weekends can be slower as more people are out and about, but Mondays and Thursdays usually see higher rates of activity on the apps.

The Facebook-Meta Connection

Now, let’s talk about how Facebook’s integration with Meta plays into all of this.

• Sharing is caring: With Meta’s fingers in both Instagram and Facebook, there’s some serious data-sharing going on. They’re using all that juicy user info to make sure your experience across both platforms is as personalized as possible.

• Working in harmony: Although Instagram and Facebook have their own algorithms, they’re singing from the same sheet music when it comes to prioritizing content. This means Meta can work its magic to make sure you’re seeing the stuff you’re most likely to engage with, whether you’re scrolling through Insta or Facebook.

Tips to boost your visibility and engagement

• Be your best content creator self: Quality over quantity, always. Take the time to craft content that’s visually appealing and speaks to your audience. Mix things up with photos, videos, stories – the whole shebang. You want to stop the mindless scroll to something that really captures the attention of a user.
• Show some love: Engagement isn’t a one-way street. Take the time to interact with your audience – reply to comments, ask questions, and get those conversations flowing.

• #HashtagItRight: Hashtags can be helpful when it comes to boosting discoverability with certain topics. Just don’t go overboard – keep it relevant and on point. We suggest no more than 6 hashtags for a post if possible.

• Keep the party going: Consistency is key on Instagram. Stick to a posting schedule to keep your audience engaged and coming back for more. People who follow you want to see more of what enticed them to your accounts in the first place. Utilizing analytics tools can help you find the best times to post.

• Get creative with features: Don’t sleep on Instagram’s latest features. Whether it’s IGTV, Reels, or Stories, they’re all golden opportunities to shake things up and show off your creative flair.

• Team up: Collaborating with fellow creators or businesses in your niche can give your content a serious boost. Shoutouts, collabs, joint campaigns – get creative and watch those engagement numbers climb. Sporadic “giveaways” can also help increase your following and engagement.

• Learn and adapt: Keep an eye on your analytics and learn from what works – and what doesn’t. Use that knowledge to tweak your strategy and keep your content game strong.

With these tips in your arsenal, along with a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of persistence, you’re well-equipped to navigate the ever-changing landscape of social media.

Keep experimenting, stay authentic, and most importantly, have fun with it. Who knows? You might just find yourself at the top of everyone’s feed before you know it.

To see how Commit Agency can help you with your social media goals, please contact us at commitagency.com/contact.