Although the new algorithm of Instagram is not a dish of good taste for all its users, the social network considers that offering the possibility of choosing between the new order and the old inverse chronological feed would increase the complexity in the use of the platform. In addition, it justifies that this new option is valid for users who spend little time in the application, since they get to see the most relevant things quickly. To reaffirm itself, Instagram announces that it will not penalize users who post too frequently or hide content from people who include too many hashtags .
NEW FEATURES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF THE INSTAGRAM ALGORITHM
In addition to this chronological change in the algorithm, Instagram includes the “new posts” button so that each user can decide how their own feed is updated (similar to “seeing new tweets” on Twitter ). In this way, he prevents the social network from doing it for him. But this does not end here because the social image network ventures new surprises in the coming months, such as the recent launch of IGTV … and all with the aim that users interact and find the publications that are most interesting to them …
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ALGORITHM OF INSTAGRAM
Changes to Instagram’s algorithm raise questions like Do people post less in the feed due to Instagram Stories ? According to Gutman himself: “Although we do not break it down, sharing on Instagram in general has ended.” This confirms the idea that Stories is cannibalizing the Instagram feed . Did you know that Spain is the most active country regarding the use of Instagram Stories ?
Does the Instagram algorithm favor videos over photos? “You could prioritize videos if Instagram thinks you, the user, prefer videos.” But ” feed classification does not universally favor the video or photo format,” says Gutman.
Does the algorithm prioritize posts from users who use Stories or Instagram Live more often? “No, we don’t prefer accounts that use different parts of the application more than others. The only way to get top-rated content is to produce great content, ”says Christina d’Avignon, product designer for Instagram. Of course, there are other ways to increase the likelihood that people will find your post like adding tags or a location sign, which means your post will appear in more search results.
Can you be in the lower ranking for posting too much on Instagram? “No, we don’t rank people for posting frequently. We make sure their feed is diverse so we can split posts, “says d’Avignon, adding that people do this less than they should now that Instagram includes the feature where you can share multiple photos at once .
Do verified users or business accounts rank higher in feed than regular users? No, according to d’Avignon. “We treat everyone the same way,” he explains.
If I post a video, will it work better on the Instagram algorithm? No longer. While this may have been true in the past, when videos were new to Instagram, “the ranking of feed not universally favors the picture or video format” replies d’Avignon.
Does using new Instagram features help your posts perform better on the Instagram algorithm? No, using Instagram Stories or Instagram Live will no longer help posts in the feed . According to Recode, designer of Instagram products: “we do not prefer accounts that use different parts of the application more than others. The only way to get better-ranked content is to produce great content. ”
What about the Instagram shadowbang ? Can I use Instagram hashtags to keep my posts from appearing? A year ago, many accounts were affected by a mysterious “bug” in the Instagram app that considered a post to be clandestine if it used the same hashtags over and over again. Something that Instagram classified as ” spam ” behavior . Since then, accounts with fake followers and fake engagement are declining at an alarming rate on the platform.
TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR INSTAGRAM EXPERIENCE
The change in the algorithm of Instagram generates our first suggestion: if you want to get more participation you must find your best time to post on Instagram. Also, if you are not sure that the new feed shows the accounts that you really want to see, you can mute those that do not interest you. Here we list many more:
- Use the platform to run contests that enhance tagging, likes , comments, and save and republish options. With all this interaction, Instagram interprets the content as relevant to the community. The new algorithm favors the engagement of the publications during the first 20-30 minutes and penalizes automated counterfeits.
- The images and videos of professional quality are still the protagonists of the new Instagram. Photos of people or products taken with originality, in unique settings and from different angles continue to attract the platform.
- Use Instagram Live to transmit because it is very easy to activate with a simple scroll. With this functionality you will get the attention of your followers (as long as they have notifications activated). This option is ideal for marketing strategies because it gets 100% attention from tuned followers.
- Create a hashtag strategy establishing a scale of minimums and maximums. Do not overdo it with hashtags and use them correctly because Instagram allows up to 30 per post, although with 5 it is more than enough. When you use them, put yourself in the place of the user who is really going to look for them and so you can define them better.
- Be very active on Instagram Stories because getting more people to use this feature for Instagram takes you away from Snapchat . The ideal is to publish a couple of stories a day at different times and, thus, check which one has received more visits. When you have discovered the hours of publication, create Stories with fun messages and content that encourages the action of your followers.
- Take advantage of the popularity of Instagram to channel promotional actions and discounts that attract new customers. If you sell physical products, ask your followers to take a photo of your product and tag it in the photo and in the description. It is a kind of free advertising with which you can also retain your regular followers.
- Consider an action with influencers . The new algorithm loves big account engagement and influencer marketing works pretty well. Ask the influencer to get involved with your account posts, comment on them, include likes, etc. If this happens during the first 30 minutes of publication, you will extend the scope even further.
- Schedule publication times and content. Pre-test and experiment to find out when your audience is most active. When you know the hot weather, schedule your posts in advance and generate new content.
- Finally, take advantage of IGTV , the video broadcasting application that aims to dethrone YouTube.
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CONCLUSIONS
Taking into account these first changes in the algorithm of Instagram we advise you to do tests with your publications, segmenting the audience and analyzing the engagement they obtain with your followers. If you are an Influencer or an expanding brand, do not forget that, despite these variables, content is still the secret to succeed in the image social network . Be original, use creativity and ingenuity and publish to be seen. If your content falls in love with your audience and reaches new followers, you will have found the secret formula of the Instagram algorithm.
If you need additional information related to the Instagram social network , such as how to carry out advertising on Instagram Ads , or simply need advice on online marketing , remember that at , digital marketing agency in Madrid , we have a multitude of services to make them available to you: web analytics , digital marketing training , content marketing , influencer marketing …
