3 of my Pet Peeves About "The Algorithm"
So, How Does The Instagram Algorithm Work In 2021?
There are lots of rumors and old information floating around out there about “the algorithm” and when it comes to artists, it’s hard to wade through to the most up-to-date and accurate information. Each app has its own algorithm but they all have the same focus. Today I'm focusing on Instagram's algorithm.
Here are three of my biggest pet peeves about “Beating The Algorithm”
Pet Peeve #1:
“Instagram recently changed its algorithm and now only 20% of my followers are seeing my posts. Please post a comment below to help me hack the algorithm”
First of all, there’s no way to “hack” or beat the algorithm. There’s no secret combination or path to sky-rocketing organic growth. An algorithm is dynamic (by definition), which means it changes all the time.
Second, this particular attitude casts the algorithm as the villian of solopreneurs everywhere. Which means you attach emotion to how it behaves. This keeps your focus on something you can’t control instead of using that energy to create engaging posts which will be shown to more of your followers. Instead of getting frustrated and acting like the algorithm is out to get you, change the way you think about it. More on this a little later...
Pet Peeve #2:
"Instagram has shadow-banned me!"
Instagram has stated that shadow-banning is not a real thing, but that doesn't stop people from assigning blame for their post's performance on the mysterious algorithm. Again, this generates more negativity and leads to higher levels of frustration and solopreneurs abandoning their posting schedules.
What to do if you think you've been shadow-banned: take a break. Close Instagram and leave it closed for at least 24 hours. Many of the triggers for spam and bots will reset within 24 hours. If posts have been removed for breaking IG's rules and community standards, challenge them. Remember that the algorithm is just code and doesn't always interpret things correctly.
Pet Peeve #3:
The Follow/Unfollow Strategy
Everyone is focused on getting more followers. One of the strategies taught in quite a few Instagram courses is the follow/unfollow strategy. Here's what I dislike about this- if a supplier is trying to get your attention because you are a jewelry maker, they will follow you. You may be curious and click over to their profile and decide whether to follow them back. They got what they wanted- your attention so they don't have much reason to remain a follower. Also...
If your followers are not similar to your raving fans (using the above case study of a gem seller), you won't get your posts in front of possible future collectors.
Here's the secret:
The algorithm is purely focused on the user and the behavior of that user inside the app.
The algorithm doesn't care about your goals for your account. Instagram wants as many users as possible to spend as much time as possible inside the app and seeing ads (that's where the money is).
In order to keep users inside the app, Instagram knows they need to be engaged (liking, commenting, sharing, saving, posting). So Instagram focused on promoting engaging content.
The algorithm decides to show your posts to more of your followers who are similar to the ones who interact or engage with your posts.
Let me break it down...
Let's say you are a jewelry maker and your posts showcase your jewelry and inspiration for your work. Your followers will come from the hashtags for a post, or being close friends with someone who is highly engaged with your posts.
If someone is following the #contemporaryjewelry hashtag, your post may appear in their Instagram feed. But not everyone who follows a hashtag is there to purchase gorgeous jewelry. There are lots and lots of people from all over the world trying to sell their products and many of them use hashtags to track down ideal customers (just like you).
Here are three ways to improve your ranking with the Instagram algorithm and increase engagement:
Clean out your followers once a week. One a week, go through your followers list in the app. Any profiles that look like suppliers (not going to purchase your jewelry) or strange private accounts- remove them.
Do hashtag research at least once a month. Keep a list of hashtags that you love to use. Ideally they show up in between 20K and 500K posts. If you see lots of the wrong people following you after you use a particular hashtag, consider stopping using it.
Focus on making your posts engaging. Focus on creating content that people will like, but also write captions that engage them in conversation. Create content that people want to share and save.
There is no magic formula to ranking high with the Instagram algorithm. But with these tweaks, you'll start to see your account grow organically, and you might feel less like the faceless algorithm is a villain to be conquered.
Do you know someone who would benefit from reading this? Feel free to use the send option and to pin to your Pinterest.
