Oh all the anthems I wish I could be playing as I type these words (they would be menacing, no doubt about it)
THE INSTAGRAM ALGORITHM
Here is what I know, by Jodi Bond.
Okay, okay, time out! Deep breath. Now exhale. If your world revolves around any type of social media platform like mine does, then you know that the algorithm can cause very real stress. Like, I’m holding tension in my body, forgetting to breathe for a moment while I think of how frustrated I am trying to understand or outsmart a highly sophisticated computer program (without a programer degree).
Spoiler alert… you’re not going to find any algorithm bitching today folks, you know why? It’s too smart for me (and probably you too), so I’ve decided if I can’t beat it I’m just going to ride it.. you with me?
And let me preface this by saying that there are certain work arounds and techniques that you can use that can actually be very helpful for a time in outwitting the algorithm. While those tricks and techniques will take you to a certain point, eventually Instagram catches on and you’ll be frustrated not knowing why you don’t get the amount of engagement you did when you first started using your strategies. At the end of the day, nothing is going to get you farther than just being an incredible content creator, relentless and fearless, sharing your unique creativity with the world.
So without further ado, here is a brief overview of the algorithm (according to me). Please take it all with a grain of salt. The most we can do is experiment and guess it’s inner workings, so nothing I say should be taking as the ultimate truth on the matter? You feel me?
At it’s core, the Instagram algorithm is set in place to help people see the type of content that they want to see.
It’s silly to be mad about it! With the millions of content that is being uploaded to Instagram, you really wouldn’t want to have to sift through all the uninspiring content. You’d loose interest pretty quickly.
And the algorithm is smart. So smart. Like, sometimes I’m thinking of a friend of mine that I haven’t seen in weeks, and moments later I see a post of theirs on Instagram (Someone who’s posts I haven’t seen in weeks either). How in the world does Instagram do this? Did something happen in my day that reminded me of that person? Does the algorithm have this information saved somewhere so that when it happens it knows I’ll be subconsciously thinking of them? I don’t know if that’s a thing or not, but for real, that’s the kind of smartness I’m talking about.
So if this superior to us super computer shows me the content that I’m most interested in seeing, yet people aren’t seeing MY posts, what does that say about my content?!
Ouch. That at some level, my followers aren’t compelled by what I’m sharing. Instagram measures to the millisecond, the length of time that people pause over my post. It can tell by that if they’ve read the caption or are captivated by the photo. If someone breezes by my post too many times they’ll stop offering my photo as inspiration.
It can feel frustrating, but it just is what it is. You can either by disappointed by it, or you can learn from it. If fewer and fewer people are seeing your content, it’s time to pay attention to what you’re putting out there.
You see, you are not powerless to affect the algorithm. None of this is out of our hands.
What it does mean, is that in order to be winning with the algorithm, we need to be constantly creating content that compels our followers to linger, to engage, to pay attention. When they do, the algorithm notices and will shares our content with them again.
This also is why the Instagram Algorithm can seem accumulative. Let’s say you post something that doesn’t get a lot of likes or engagement, have you noticed your next post usually does poorly over all as well? Let’s say you next post is again one that people aren’t jiving with (speaking from experience here, sadly), and the next one too. Well, as less and less people choose to engage, the algorithm considers your content less and less valuable to that person. If you have a handful of posts in a row that people are not interested in or engaging, and Instagram will start showing your posts to less and less people. This is how you can find yourself buried by the algorithm (Meaning it’s showing your content to less then 10% of your following).
The opposite is true as well. You can have a few banging posts in a row and overtime you’ll experience the algorithm freely sharing your continent to not only your followers, but new accounts as well using Hashtag shares and the Explore page.
In order to win the the algorithm, you need to be sharing compelling content that your audience is pausing for and interacting with.
If you’ve been buried by the algorithm you will have to work long and hard to climb out of that hole. You’re going to need to engage with your followers, engage with others, produce compelling content that stirs action. If you do this constantly, you will climb out of your rut. It may take a long time of pushing hard -I’m talking months- but it’s totally possible!
I’ve been there guys, so I know how frustrating it can be to feel like you are fighting upstream.
Something that is helping me in the process is practicing gratitude with the Algorithm.
Do I wish it shared me to more of my followers at times? For sure! But I’m done being hung up on that! I’m grateful for the reasons it does what it does, and I’m choosing to let that propel me into the very real work of being a creative.
Why don’t you join me? It’s so much more fun then being frustrated!
XO -Jodi
Want more Instagram advice? Check out my latest Video explaining how often you should post on Instagram.