Algorithm

Algorithm - that thing deciding whether your post goes viral or gets lost in the void

An algorithm on social media is basically the brain behind what you see in your feed. It's a set of rules or formulas that decide which posts appear first when you open an app like Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook. Instead of showing you everything in real-time, algorithms pick out content based on what they think you’ll like most - saving you from endless scrolling.

What do algorithms do?

Algorithms analyze your activity on social media -what posts you like, comment on, and share - to figure out what content to show you more of. They filter through thousands of posts to highlight the ones that are most relevant to you, ensuring you spend more time engaging with the platform (and seeing more ads along the way).

How does the algorithm work?

While each platform has its own algorithm, most work similarly. They consider factors like:

• Engagement: posts with more likes, comments, and shares are ranked higher.
• Relevance: how closely the content matches your interests.
• Timeliness: newer posts generally get more priority over older ones.
• Relationships: content from people or pages you interact with often will show up more frequently.

What social media platform has the best algorithm?

There’s no "best" algorithm - it depends on your goals. For creators seeking engagement, TikTok’s "For You Page" is known for its highly personalized content. Instagram is great for businesses looking to showcase products, while LinkedIn is ideal for B2B content. Each platform has its strengths, but they all share the same goal: keeping users engaged.

What are engagement algorithms?

Engagement algorithms prioritize posts that receive a lot of interaction. The more people engage with your post (through likes, comments, and shares), the more likely the platform is to push your content to more users. It's a way of rewarding engaging content with more visibility.

How do you "win" social media algorithms?

To get on the algorithm’s good side, focus on creating content that sparks interaction. Here’s how you can do that:

• Post consistently and at optimal times.
• Use relevant hashtags to reach a larger audience.
• Encourage interaction through questions, polls, or call-to-action captions.
• Stay on top of trends and create content around them.
• Engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages.

By understanding how the algorithm works, you can improve your content’s visibility and build a more engaged audience.