The Instagram algorithm determines which content appears at the top of users' feeds based on factors like interest, recency, relationships, and engagement frequency. Users can optimize their posts by sharing high-quality images, consistent stories, engaging videos, compelling captions, and utilizing effective hashtags. Although the algorithm is complex and frequently changing, understanding its functioning can help users increase their visibility and engagement on the platform.

1. WHAT IS INSTAGRAM ALGORITHM?
HOW DOES IT WORKS
By :Yumna Hafeez
Content Specialist at Social Champ

2. What is Instagram
Algorithm?
The IG algorithm is revamped every time so
that an Instagrammer can spend quality
time on the app and enjoy their time. The
Instagram users keep scrolling the
newsfeed, see posts and ads which
eventually turn more revenue to Instagram.
So, the Instagram algorithm works to keep
the users hooked up with the tempting
content and spend more time scrolling the
app.

3. How does the Instagram
Algorithm Work?
Basically, the Instagram algorithm decides
which content should be at the top of your
newsfeed. So, every single time when a
user opens the app, Instagram brushes the
newsfeed through all the available posts
and then decide:
•Which post is likely to go at the top of
your newsfeed and which sequence?
•Which posts should feature on the Explore
tab.
•The order for all the stories, live videos,
IGTV, and reel videos are display in the
newsfeed and their respective tabs.

4. Instagram Ranking Factors
Instagram revealed the top six factors which
decide the priority of the posts. These top
ranking factors are as follows.
•Interest
•Timelessness
•Relationships
•Frequency
•Following
•Session time

5. Instagram Ranking Factors
1.Interest
So, how does Instagram recognize your
interest? Instagram keeps a sharp eye on your
interests, it looks at all your past activities
and captures your potential interest.
2. Timelessness
The next key factor we have is Timelessness.
Instagram prioritizes and shows you the posts
that are recent and relevant.

6. Instagram Ranking Factors
3. Relationships
Instagram determines the accounts you
usually interact with because it doesn't want
you to miss out any essential post from your
close friends.
4. Frequency
Heading towards our next key factor that is
frequency. Every time, when you open
Instagram you usually see a different feed
every time, it's because of the frequency key
factor

7. Instagram Ranking Factors
5. Following
The accounts that have a huge number of
following then accounts see less posts from
individual accounts whereas the accounts
with minimum following tends to see more
posts from close friends.
6. Session Time
Either you use Instagram for a short or longer
session, it will definitely affect your Instagram
algorithm.

8. How the Instagram Algorithm Works for
Instagram Stories in 2022
Instagram quickly determines the people you
mostly engaged with and then displays their
stories at the beginning, so that you don't
miss out on your close friend’s stories.
That's how the algorithm does wonders to IG
stories. When you open the app, every time
you see new stories at the top of your
newsfeed and ultimately your eye catches the
stories before you scroll through the app and
this story feature is launched for binge
watching.

9. Strategies and Tactics to outsmart
the Instagram algorithm
1. Upload Quality Pictures
Instead of just uploading photos when you
see something that interests you, plan out a
few days in advance to shoot something more
elaborate and exciting to then upload at
another point.
But the most important thing is to always
shoot high-quality pictures on Instagram that
are sharp and clear. This way it's more likely
that someone will click on a picture, follow
you and be interested in what you post.

10. Strategies and Tactics to outsmart
the Instagram algorithm
2. Upload Instagram Stories
Consistently
There is no denying that Instagram stories
have become a very popular way of sharing
memories with others.
If you are thinking about sharing photos on
your Instagram stories. Post interesting
content, like stories about the things you like
most in life, such as your pets, your travels,
your business or even things that are
happening around you in the present
moment.

11. Strategies and Tactics to outsmart
the Instagram algorithm
3. Upload More Video Content
So if you are posting a video on Instagram
make sure the key here is to make it as
engaging as possible in a short time frame.
The shorter the clip, the less videos people
have time to watch and therefore, less
engagement. The ideal duration for an
Instagram video is 2 – 15 seconds long.
Remember to use short clips and short clips
only.

12. Strategies and Tactics to outsmart
the Instagram algorithm
4. Create Compelling Captions
Whether you're running Instagram for your
store, blog or personal social media account,
there are certain benefits to adding captions
under your Instagram photos.
Rather than simply adding text over images to
caption them, you're able to effortlessly drag
text boxes on top of your photos, allowing
you to take full advantage of the photo's
original pixel size.

13. Strategies and Tactics to outsmart
the Instagram algorithm
5. Use the power of Hashtags
Whether you’re trying to reach a goal faster or
simply experimenting with an idea to attract
new followers, hashtags can play a major role
in sprucing up your Instagram posts and
attracting a new audience. So be sure to use
hashtags consistently and organically.

14. Are you ready to take on the new
Instagram algorithm?
As an Instagram enthusiast, it is pretty
difficult to know the algorithm, the changes
and how Instagram implements them. It’s
really hard to keep up with the ever-changing
IG algorithm.
Although Instagram’s algorithm is a bit of a
mystery, there are ways that you can go about
increasing your chances of reaching the
trending page.