Ever wondered how to master the complex web of social media algorithms? This blog post has the answers you’re searching for.

What is it?

A social media algorithm is a set of codes that determines which content is shown to which users on a particular platform. In other words, it decides which posts show up in your feed and in what order. The logic behind this is that if a post is getting a lot of engagement (likes, comments, shares), it must be interesting or relevant to users, and therefore should be shown to more people.

Another key factor that social media algorithms take into account is the relationship between the user and the person who posted the content. For example, if you regularly interact with someone (by liking, commenting on, or sharing their posts), the algorithm will assume that you’re interested in seeing more content from them. On the other hand, if you don’t interact with someone very often (or at all), the algorithm will assume that you’re not as interested in their content and will show it to you less often.

This is why it’s so important to actively engage with your target audience on social media. The more you interact with them, the more likely they are to see your content in their feed. And when they see your content in their feed, they’re more likely to interact with it (like, comment on, or share it), which signals to the algorithm that your content is interesting and relevant. It’s a self-perpetuating cycle that can help you reach a wider audience and build better relationships with your target customers.

Every social media platform has its own set of rules, so it’s important to understand how each one works and what type of content they prioritise. 

For example, Facebook’s algorithm favours posts from friends and family over businesses, while Instagram’s algorithm gives priority to posts with high engagement levels. 

So, what can you do to harness the power of algorithms and make sure they’re working in your favour?

Here are our top 10 tips:

  1. Use video and other aesthetic content to stop the mindless scrolling. You are aiming to disrupt people long enough that they stop, read and engage with your post, rather than scrolling right past it.  Social media campaigns incorporating user-generated content (UGC) get 50% more engagement. UGC results in 29% higher conversion rates than campaigns that don’t use it. Approximately 70% of brands believe that UGC helps them connect better with customers on social media. Source:  Search Logistics
  2. Post frequently and consistently – but don’t overpost: if you have two great things to share, schedule one for the next day.  Avoid sharing a bunch of posts in quick succession, or disappearing for weeks at a time.
  3. Quality over quantity – whilst posting consistently is key, the algorithm will favour good quality content.  Quality content builds trust and a following. The value of social media marketing to businesses isn’t just in the ability to promote content to the masses, it’s in the ability to promote quality content that builds a community and virtual following over time.   
  4. Engage with other users’ content – if you create a relationship with another account, they are more likely to see your content in their feed.
  5. Follow relevant industry news sources – they are likely to give you tips on algorithm changes.
  6. Experiment with different content types and strategies – your users might prefer articles over videos, or be online in the morning rather than the evening.
  7. Keep an eye on trends/trending content to see what users are consuming – if you jump on a trend, there is more chance users will see that. 
  8. You may need to spend a bit extra to get the ball rolling, with paid ads and boosts aimed to put your content in the faces of the audience, who then will see more of your content in the future. 
  9. Be sure to check in on your social media performance: a sudden drop in engagement despite consistent posting could indicate a change in an algorithm. 
  10. Using search engine optimization (SEO) can dramatically help you skyrocket within the algorithm because it means your keywords will jump right to the relevant audience. 

Social media platforms are constantly changing the game, so the best thing you can do is stay in the loop. Make sure you’re subscribing to podcasts or social media accounts (funny that!) that will show you updates and hot tips for algorithms. Or if you’re time-poor, get an expert Marketing agency like Reputation by Design to do it for you – there’s nothing better than having someone else stay on top of these changes, so you can stay on top of growing your business.

Need support?

Find out more about our social media management services:  https://reputationprod.wpenginepowered.com/services/social-media-management/ or contact us for more information: https://reputationprod.wpenginepowered.com/contact/