How Does Instagram Algorithm Work? Detailed Guide 

Keynote

The Instagram algorithm in 2024 prioritizes content based on user engagement, recency, and relationships. It varies for the feed, Stories, Explore Page, and Reels. Key factors include likes, comments, shares, and viewing history. Recent updates give more weight to posts and stories, offer chronological feeds in Europe, and count replayed Reels as views. To optimize your reach, post engaging content regularly, use hashtags and location tags, and interact with your audience.

Catching up with the Instagram algorithm can be similar to attempting to hit an ever-changing target. They alter it once again right when you believe you have it figured out. 

You undoubtedly wonder what the ideal time period is to post to get the most engagement on a specific day. Alternatively, you may be curious about how to get more followers for your Instagram Reels.  

Fortunately, we are here to enlighten you about the Instagram algorithm. In this guide, you’ll learn what the Instagram algorithm is, how it works in feed, reels, stories, and explore page, which ranking factors are important, what the changes are in 2024, and how you can reset and beat this system.  

Keep reading if you wonder about all of these! 

What Is the Instagram Algorithm? 

The Instagram algorithm is a complex system that determines the order and presentation of reels, stories, posts, and other visuals in a user’s feed and the Explore Page. You can understand that the IG algorithm isn’t related to just one concept, it is plural.  

Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram explained this situation by saying: 

Instagram doesn’t have a singular algorithm that oversees what people do and don’t see on the app. We use a variety of algorithms, classifiers, and processes, each with its own purpose. We want to make the most of people’s time, and we believe that using technology to personalize everyone’s experience is the best way to do that. 

Put another way, the only objective of Instagram’s algorithms is to keep you using the app longer by showing you engaging relevant content. 

How Does the Instagram Algorithm Work? 

The IG algorithm works by evaluating numerous factors for the visibility of your and other users’ content.  

Mosseri says each part of the app – Feed, Stories, Explore, Reels, Search, and more – uses its own algorithm tailored to how people use it. 

Let’s check each part separately and learn how the Instagram algorithm works. 

Instagram Feed Algorithm 

Over the past few years, the Instagram feed algorithm has undergone significant changes, shifting toward an interest-based paradigm.  

However, how does this complicated system determine the kind of information you are most likely to engage with? 

There are some signals to make your feed algorithm better: 

• Popularity of the content: How many people have liked, shared, and commented on it, etc. 
• Your Instagram activities: How many videos do you often watch? Daily, weekly, monthly. What are your interests and the materials you interact with? 
• Your history of interactions: How can you interact with other users, by commenting on or liking? 
• Knowledge about the post owner: Who is the content owner? Is s/he your friend or relative? 

Instagram’s feed post is also ranked based on  

• The video and photograph quality. 
• Watermarks. 
• Reported materials. 
• The uniqueness of the post. 

Instagram Reels Algorithm 

Anyone hoping to gain traction on Instagram may find it extremely helpful to understand the Instagram Reels algorithm.  

Let’s check the elements affecting the Instagram reels algorithm. 

Interaction with the post owner: Your prior interactions with the user who published that Reel you liked or shared are examined.  

User behavior: Instagram’s algorithm first examines your previous activity, including the videos you have recently shared, commented on, liked, and briefly interacted with. YouTube Shorts algorithm is similar to Instagram Reels in terms of user behavior. It is possible to view short videos from different people who you don’t follow but are related to your interests.

Information about the Reel: Audio track, duration of the video, and caption are monitored to analyze your level of interest in the reel.  

Relation with the post owner: The Instagram Reels algorithm considers your connection with the post owner when it determines the significance of the content for you.  

Instagram Stories Algorithm 

The Instagram Stories algorithm favors material from the accounts you engage with, instead of emphasizing a story from unknown people.

Learn the factors that affect the Instagram Stories Algorithm. 

1. History of your viewing: The story algorithm takes into account how frequently you watch an account’s story in order to give priority to those from accounts it believes you shouldn’t miss. 
2. User interaction: The degree to which you interact with an account’s stories- for example by liking or sending DMs to them- is taken into account by the algorithm. 
3. The connection between you and the poster: Following that the algorithm takes into account your general rapport with the poster and the likelihood that you will be acquainted as a friend or relative. 

Instagram Explore Page Algorithm 

The Instagram Explore Page algorithm’s fundamental aim is to introduce new things. Instagram still suggests material based on your interests, but the majority of the posts are from accounts you don’t follow.  

See the key factors you need to know about how the Instagram Explore Page algorithm works. 

• What you’ve been doing on the Explore Page: In order to specify what to display you, the algorithm takes into consideration what you have previously done with the same information. 
• History of interaction: The algorithm takes into account the degree of interaction you’ve had with the user who posted as well as your relation with them.  
• Content information: The Explore Page algorithm takes a post’s overall popularity into consideration, which includes the number of interactions it has received in a brief period of time. Since you’re probably less acquainted with the post owner on the Explore Page, your engagements with similar posts are crucial. 

Ranking Factors for the Instagram Algorithm 

Here is how the total IG algorithm ranking variables would seem if you were to split them down. Three primary ranking variables are: 

The relation between the viewer and the creator– Do you both follow one another, post comments, or send DMs? You can notice new posts posted by a person if you have had frequent interactions with them in the past. 

Relevance– Every piece of material is given a “relevantness” score by Instagram. The newer videos and photographs are considered more relevant than the previous ones. 

Interested in or not– Does this kind of content usually trigger interactions from users? The Instagram algorithm presents users with more of the same material when it determines that they are interested in a particular content. 

Some Crucial Changes on Instagram Algorithm in 2024 

It’s critical to be informed about algorithmic changes on Instagram since the platform keeps developing. Check the top 5 updates of Instagram algorithms for 2024. 

1. New Algorithm Gives More Weight to Other Content Except Reels 

The Instagram algorithm is changing to give greater weight to various sorts of content like posts and stories since users complained that there were too many reels in their feeds.  

2. Chronological Feeds for European Instagrammers 

Users in Europe may now see the feed chronologically. Instagram has stated that European users will now be able to see Reels and Stories exclusively from individuals they follow arranged chronologically from newest to oldest. This adjustment affects Instagram search results. It will no longer be tailored to an Instagrammer’s past behaviors and interests. 

3. Some Posts Are Restricted for Younger People 

Here are the categories of restricted posts for teens: 

1. Sexually explicit and nudity  
2. Violence 
3. Suicide and self-harm 
4. Eating disorders 
5. Restricted goods 

4. Word-marked Reels Are Rated Lower 

Word-marked reels will be rated lower, no matter how many word marks there are. It includes video editing software watermarks and TikTok logo wordmarks. Yet, a video that was made without using the Instagram app and a word mark isn’t affected by this situation. 

5. Now Replayed Reels Is Counted as a View 

Once upon a time, a reel’s view count was only calculated on first viewings. Now, each time will be counted as a new view for your reel. Thanks to this update, a creator’s reels view count can increase easily. 

How to Reset Instagram Algorithm? 

Unfortunately, it is not possible to reset the Instagram algorithms. Yet, you can change the Instagram algorithm by updating the posts you display in your feed in two different ways. 

1. By deleting the history of your searches 
2. Choosing “Not Interested” while seeing the suggested content 

You can make these adjustments from both iOS and Android devices.  

How to Beat the Instagram Algorithm? 

There isn’t a magic bullet for beating the Instagram algorithm, despite everyone’s desire to know how to do so.  

All it takes to beat the Instagram algorithm is to know how it operates and to make use of that information. Here is a list for you to apply to become more visible on the popular platform. 

1. Craft engaging and high-quality Reels, Stories, and Posts 
2. Be consistent while posting, create weekly, and monthly schedules 
3. Interact with your community 
4. Follow and join trends 
5. Benefit from the features of Instagram like hashtags, location tags, effects, stickers, polls, and more 
6. If you have a business or brand, definitely open a business account 
7. Use keywords in the description of your posts 
8. Request that your fans add your page to their “Favorites” 
9. Share your reels on YouTube, and TikTok to attract the attention of your audience on other platforms 
10. Cross-promote your Instagram post by collaborating with other influencers or brands 
11.  Finally, don’t forget to utilize Instagram Analytics to monitor your page’s performance

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