In this article, we will look at the algorithms of social networks Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. At the outset, I would like to mention that this is my perspective, which I have observed on these social networks over the years. In many respects, these are also confirmed experiences, but it is necessary to mention that these algorithms are constantly changing and evolving.

Storage as the main metric of Instagram
Let’s start with Instagram, it’s not that long ago that it has reevaluated its algorithm a bit. Previously, the most interesting interactions for the Instagram algorithm were in this order: like, comment, share, save. Currently, it is save, share, comment, and like is in the last place.

When you post a post on Instagram, you should focus on interactions from people in this order. After posting, a certain time runs (about 15 minutes) during which each interaction is closely monitored, according to which the algorithm then decides whether to show your post to more people or rather to push it aside. Although Instagram has refuted this claim according to the newsfeed.cz server, you can perhaps verify that there is still something to it. So try to evoke the most interesting interactions in people – it will no longer be enough to just call on people in the stories to comment, but it is the storage that you should require.

The algorithm also considers your activity important. I often encounter with clients that on a personal profile they like and comment, but on a company profile, the activity is not as high. In this respect, it can be generally considered as a ranking of your account, which includes everything you do and how you behave with the account. Also, be careful about liking your own posts right after posting. From the days when we were all dealing with just Facebook, there was information that confirmed that this behavior has a negative impact on algorithms, although Facebook and Instagram have never confirmed or refuted it.

On the other hand, excessive activity can also have a negative impact on the aforementioned ranking. Instagram has limits on individual activities. From the latest available sources, it was a limit of about 1,000, both likes, comments, and follows per day. I have managed to get a 24-hour ban on my personal account several times during testing, precisely because of these activities. Instagram introduced this mainly because of apps that do it automatically for you. I wrote a bit more about them in the article on influencers.

In simple terms, your goal should be to build a community that is interested in the same topic and that will exchange opinions and feelings with each other.

Facebook events are experiencing a restart
Another algorithm we’ll look at is Facebook’s. To a certain extent, it is based on and closely related to the one on Instagram. Of course, it is mainly due to interactions as such, according to which the algorithms can recognize the users’ interest in your posts. Among other things, it is also because it has been the same company since 2012.

As I mentioned, the algorithms are quite similar to a certain extent, only Facebook is more about interactions like likes, comments, and shares – storage Facebook doesn’t reflect as much. Of course, the click-through to the website, which Instagram does not have in the posts, is a given.

Again, it’s about whether your post in the feed (on the wall) will address a large enough audience in the first moments, who will show interest in the post. If you manage to do this, your post can be shown for several more days.

On Facebook, among other things, you will “fight” with personal profiles, which it naturally prefers, because it wants companies to pay for advertising, and thus it can monetize its platform. But since last year, Facebook has also been prioritizing groups and events, because it says users spend the most time on the networks because of them.

So if you have a page where you are fighting with reach and where you don’t want to pay for advertising, try to create a group where you will build a community. Of course, the content that goes hand in hand with this should be different from what is on the page.

Focus on content, on Instagram it’s easy – videos and photos have the same ranking. On Facebook, however, it is much more complicated, because you can only create text posts, photos, videos, or links to external pages, which no one likes, because you are taking users away from Facebook. In addition to the above, events, which are also one of the content that FB wants and pushes up, are working better and better.

When someone comments on your post, don’t just leave a like, but develop the conversation. Don’t forget that with each new comment, your post will be shown to more people.

On TikTok, don’t miss the beginning
You could say that TikTok’s algorithm is the most different. After reading, you will find that, apart from minor differences, it is the same as the above. Also, this part will be the shortest, because I don’t have as much experience with TikTok as I do with Facebook or Instagram.

TikTok’s algorithm pays the most attention to displaying new networks. It may also be because it is a relatively new social network that wants to attract users. And what does it want to attract them to? Precisely to reach. This means that when you enter TikTok, you should pay special attention to the first posts, because with them you can achieve tens of thousands of views even with zero followers. What I’ve observed is that it’s about 4-6 videos that you post in a short time after registration. Of course, the further behavior of the algorithm is also based on the interactions with the first videos.

As I mentioned, TikTok’s algorithm is also interested in the interactions the video gains. Localization is also important for TikTok. Given that it is a social network built on music videos, you don’t have to limit yourself to just the local market. However, if you want to build brand awareness, you should focus on your target group.

What you should take away from this article
– For all social networks, it is necessary to arouse the greatest interest of your audience. Collect likes, comments, shares, but also storage or reactions to events.
– Create original and interesting content for your audience.
– Use hashtags and follow people with similar focus.
– Be active.