In this week’s Tech News Tuesday episode, we’re talking about Instagram’s algorithm (which by the way is also the same algorithm that Facebook is now starting to use). If you’ve ever been frustrated trying to figure out how to get your Instagram posts in front of the right audience, you’re not alone.
Today, we’re going to give you actionable tips for maximizing your content’s visibility. As a small business trying to boost engagement, understanding how Meta’s algorithms works is essential for success.
Instagram isn’t just a single algorithm — it’s made up of multiple algorithms to create the user experience.
Instagram isn’t just a single algorithm — it’s made up of multiple algorithms, and processes that work together to create the user experience. The big idea here is that Instagram wants to make sure users are spending their time viewing content that’s most relevant and interesting to them. It’s not about showing you everything in chronological order anymore; instead, it’s about personalized recommendations based on your behavior and interests.
Different Algorithms for Different Parts of Instagram
Have you noticed how much content is not from your friends and accounts you follow? Over 50% of content now comes from the AI recommendation algorithm so it’s more important than ever that your content is relevant to the audience you want.
There’s not just one algorithm either. The different parts of Instagram — like the Feed, Stories, Explore page, and Reels — are controlled by different algorithms. Each part of the platform has its own ranking system designed to meet specific user behaviors.
Instagram Feed
When it comes to the Feed, Instagram considers a variety of signals. Things like posts you’ve liked, shared, or commented on. They even track how often you interact with a specific person or brand. So, if you frequently engage with a certain account, that content is more likely to appear higher in your feed. The goal here is to create a tailored experience that keeps you coming back for more.
Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories are ranked based on how often users engage with your stories. If someone consistently watches your Stories or interacts with them by sending a reaction, Instagram takes that into account when deciding where your Stories should appear on their feed.
The Explore Page
The Explore page is where it gets really interesting. If you’re a business trying to reach new audiences, the Explore algorithm is where you want to focus. It shows users content they haven’t seen before but are likely to enjoy based on their behavior. So, if a user interacts with content from a certain creator, Instagram will show them similar content from creators they may not follow yet.
If you’re a business owner trying to reach new audiences, the Explore algorithm is where you want to focus.
That’s why Reels have become so important! They can really help you expand your reach. If your Reel resonates with a user, it can get pushed to the top of their feed, even if they don’t follow you. And, shares via direct messages? Well, those are the golden ticket to reaching even more people.
Shares via direct message are the golden ticket to reaching even more people.
It’s all about creating content that people want to share, comment on, or like. Reels give you that chance to go viral, but only if you’re creating something that people genuinely connect with.
Action Steps: Make the Algorithm Work for You
For those of you wondering how to make the algorithm work for you, here’s a quick rundown of tips:
- Embrace the newest features like Reels and Stories. Instagram prioritizes newer tools and gives them prime real estate in the app.
- Diversify your post types! Mix it up with images, carousels, Reels, and Stories to keep things fresh and reach more people.
- Focus on engagement — reply to comments, use interactive stickers in your Stories, and encourage your team to interact with your content.
And, of course, track your analytics to see what’s working. Keep experimenting, stay authentic, and watch your engagement soar.
Do you prefer to listen in? Here’s our podcast:
Links in this week’s episode: How the Instagram Algorithm Works: Your 2025 Guide
Videos, Unskippable Ads, and More Algorithm Content
