Have you ever wondered why you see the content you do on your Instagram feed? It comes down to the Instagram algorithm. Instagram has a complex ranking algorithm that determines what each user will see on their feed and in what order. The algorithm has become more complex in recent years to give each user a more personalized experience based on their data. Here’s how it works.  

THE FACTORS OF INSTAGRAM RANKING

Here are the factors Instagram uses to rank various types of Instagram content. Interest – The algorithm looks at what content you have liked in the past and what content you are interested in. It then uses that information to show you similar content you’ll find engaging. Timeliness – Instagram prioritizes newer posts. It wants to keep content fresh, so posting when your audience is most active is helpful. Relationship – The algorithm considers your relationship to the account that posted the content. It recognizes accounts you engage with frequently and prioritizes posts from people you may be close with. Frequency – Instagram looks at how often you use the Instagram app. If you are a frequent user, the content you see will be fresh because it has more opportunities to refresh the feed. Following – The more people you follow, the more diluted the feed becomes. This means when you follow more people, you are less likely to see content from specific accounts.  

HOW THE INSTAGRAM RANKING IS SIGNALED

The ranking factors are triggered by signals from users, creators, and posts. It looks for signals from users like shares, comments, accounts they follow, and posts they’ve shared. For creators, the signals involve the number of interactions, information about the creator, and whether or not the content follows guidelines. The final section of signals comes from the post itself. It includes information about the post like shares, saves, times, and location.  

TIPS TO GET YOUR CONTENT SEEN

First and foremost, prioritize creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your target audience—this is the foundation of any successful Instagram strategy. Posting regularly, using analytics tools, stories, reels, and other Instagram features will help boost your content. Understanding the ranking process can help you create content for your audience that will get your content seen and increase engagement. Fusion One Marketing is a full-service digital marketing company headquartered in Birmingham, AL.  Fusion One specializes in Local SEO, Social Media Marketing, Pay-per-click, and Website Designs. The company was created in 2011 with its primary focus on helping small and medium businesses navigate the digital marketing world. Our goal for businesses is simple: “More Calls – More Businesses”. For any questions about this info or the services we provide, don't hesitate to get in touch with us for your Free Digital Consultation.