9 Important Instagram Algorithm Facts That You Need To Know

Are you wondering whether the Instagram algorithm has changed, then you are at the correct place. This article will help you understand nine Instagram algorithm facts that Instagram itself revealed and how it functions.

#1. Different Instagram Algorithms Functioning on the Platform

You might have heard about the Instagram algorithm as a single concept, but the fact is, different algorithms operate behind the app. For instance, the Instagram home feed algorithm is distinct from Instagram Explore Page Algorithm, and the algorithm for IGTV is different from Instagram Reels Algorithm. Every algorithm is somewhat varied for every other feature on the app, but the overall principle for algorithms is the same, that is, to showcase content that interests the audience.

#2. The Home-Feed Algorithm Computes Ranking Depending on Four Factors

In a live session, Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, has shared how the home-feed algorithm operates on Instagram. During the live, he has explained the fundamental factors the algorithm considers:

• Information about the post: A picture or a video clip? What does the content convey? Does it have a maximum number of likes?
• Information about the poster: Is it a friend? How often do they post?
• Your activity: Do you watch plenty of videos? What type of content engages you?
• Interaction history: How often do you comment or like on a poster’s content?

Concerning this information, the Instagram algorithm determines how people interact with a post, called Score of interest or Engagement Rates, that eventually calculates the sequence in which the posts get showcased in home-feeds.

#3. The Home-Feed Algorithm Considers Five “Essential” Interactions

During the broadcast, Mosseri also talked about interactions that are “essential” to Instagram Algorithms. Also, he referred to the main interactions as the “Proxies” that the algorithm considers while defining feed ranks.

Time Invested: Do you invest time on a post?

Like: How likely do you like a post?

Comment: How likely do you comment on a post?

Save: Probability to save a post?

Click on Profile: Probability to click on a profile after viewing a post.

When you create content that resonates with your audience interests, you are likely to gain more auto likes on Instagram for increased visibility of the posts in your feed.Suppose the algorithm determines that people are improbable to accomplish these interactions on the post, then it gets deprioritized in their home-feeds. 

#4. Add a Friend to your Close Friends list to Improve their Rank

Adding a friend to your “Close Friends List” is a signal to Instagram’s algorithm. When you add people to the list, you see their stories and posts highly pop up while you open your Instagram profile. On the other hand, if you show disinterest in particular posts on the Explore page, you tend to deprioritize such content with the Instagram algorithm. 

#5. Timeliness is a Crucial Sign

The times when the post is shared, i.e., timeliness, are crucial with the Instagram algorithm. Anyway, it is not the only sign, “the home-feeds are less, but not more, chronological,” says Mosseri. That means the post could be displayed ahead of the latest one if the algorithm identifies  it to have a high score of interest or engagement rates. As time goes on, recent posts exceed the score of interest, and the algorithm favors new posts instead. 

#6. Every Profile Types Treated Equally

Instagram has said that every profile type is considered equally concerning algorithms in a sequence of stories on the Creator profile. That means you may have a business, personal, or creator account, and it makes no difference for the performance of the content. 

#7. Comments counted as “Interactions.”

There is a false myth that the Instagram algorithm does not consider comments with less than three words. In reality, every comment gets considered, although it simply has an emoticon or two. The fact is, it is all based on an individual; when they consistently engage with your posts, chances are you would get ranked at top of their home-feeds on Instagram. Comments are an essential sign for algorithms; hence make sure to respond to every comment regularly. That makes active interactions and tells your audience that you are engaged, which could be perfect for encouraging even more interactions.

#8. The Conversations in the First Thirty-Minutes does not Define ranking

Instagram has revealed that the amount of conversations a post acquires in the first 30 minutes does not help define home-feed rankings. As said earlier, the feed algorithm determines post ranking depending on four factors, and it is not limited to 30 minutes. Anyway, it is a great idea to post content that aligns while the audience is probably engaged.

#9. The Feed Algorithm Does Not Favor Videos Over Pictures

Feed algorithm on Instagram has no affinity with video and picture content. Despite that, the video clips are highly engaging as the audience spends more time on every post, and that there are two essential factors for the algorithm. Generally, video content beats picture content on the platform- the main factor to take into account. 

Wrapping Up

Getting to know the facts about Instagram Algorithms is necessary to your business strategy. The algorithm considers multiple factors like past activities, accounts followed, their interactions, and more to define the ranking. Instagram counts on engagement; the posts with an excellent level of engagement get ranked at the top of home-feeds. Hence, concentrate on establishing solid relationships with the audience instead of maximizing the following. Bear in mind the facts discussed above to outsmart the Instagram Algorithm and improve your brand visibility.