How Do Social Media Algorithms Work?
Social media can sometimes seem like a mystery – one day, your posts are getting tons of likes, and the next, it feels like you’re talking to yourself. What’s the deal with that, you may be wondering? The answer is Social Media algorithms.
They’re the hidden forces behind what you see in your feed. This might seem kinda intimidating, but we’re here to break it down and show you how to make the algorithms work FOR you, rather than against you.
So, What Are Social Media Algorithms?
Social media algorithms work behind the scenes and decide which posts show up in your feed and in what order.
When you log into Facebook, Instagram, or any other platform, you’re not actually seeing every single post in real-time like you think you are – instead, the platform has already filtered and sorted everything to show you what it thinks you’ll find most interesting.
These algorithms look at a bunch of factors, like how often you like a certain type of content, who you interact with most, and even how long you spend on each post. By crunching all this data, they try to serve up content that keeps you engaged. The aim is to give you a personalised experience that keeps you scrolling, liking, and commenting. They want you stuck in the app as long as possible.
Why Do Social Media Algorithms Exist & Why Do They Change?
So, why do we even have these algorithms?
Well, they exist to manage the massive amount of content being uploaded every day. Algorithms help keep things organised and relevant, showing you posts that you’re likely to enjoy or find useful.
But, plot twist: these algorithms aren’t set in stone – instead, they’re constantly changing (which can be both exciting and incredibly frustrating)
Platforms update their algorithms for a few reasons:
1. Sometimes, tweaks are made to make your experience better. For example, if a platform notices people are interacting more with videos, it might start showing more video content.
2. Algorithms change to keep up with what’s popular. If a new type of content starts trending, like TikTok’s short videos, other platforms might adjust their algorithms to favour similar content.
3. Sometimes, changes are made to address problems, like the spread of misinformation. For example, YouTube made adjustments to prioritize reputable sources after facing criticism for promoting misleading content.
Facebook: What was Zuck Thinking
Facebook’s algorithm is essentially popularity-contest-meets-high-school-reunion. It wants to show you stuff it thinks you’ll love, and it’s really into your friendships and what you’re interacting with. So, if you’re constantly liking and commenting on your Aunt’s posts, chances are, Facebook will show you more of her stuff – the same goes for your brand and your followers. The more you can get them to interact with you, the better.
You can reach a wider audience by creating content that sparks REAL engagement – think thought-provoking questions, funny memes, or valuable information. You’ve got to get people talking.
TikTok: The Infinite Scroll Black Hole
TikTok’s algorithm is like that one friend who always knows exactly what you want before you do. It’s OBSESSED with keeping you doom scrolling, so it’s constantly testing different videos to see what grabs your attention.
That’s why trends blow up so fast. So, to win at TikTok, you need to create content that is instantly captivating, easy to digest, and encourages sharing. And you can never go wrong with using a trending sound – just please please please don’t over do it *Sabrina Carpenter voice *.
Twitter: Real-Time Reactionary
Twitter is all about NOW – it’s like being smack in the middle of a fast-paced newsroom.
The algorithm rewards fresh, relevant content that sparks conversations. So, you’ve got to stay on top of current events, be opinionated (respectfully, of course), and engage with other users.
Twitter is also BIG on retweets and quote tweets, so don’t be shy about sharing other people’s stuff if it’s relevant to your audience.
Instagram: The Pretty Picture Paradox
Yeah, we all love the idea of an aesthetic feed, but when it comes to the ‘gram – it’s engagement that REALLY counts.
The algorithm wants to show you content from people you care about and stuff that you interact with (so your goal is to get your followers to like, comment, save, and share your posts). It also helps a lot to experiment with different content formats like Reels and Stories to reach new people.
LinkedIn: Your Professional Brand Builder
LinkedIn is all about building your professional reputation, and the algorithm favors content that is informative, engaging, and relevant to your industry. So if you’re looking to grow on the platform, you’ve got to make an effort to share your expertise, join industry groups, and participate in discussions.
LinkedIn is also a great place to connect with potential clients and business partners, so make sure your profile is up-to-date and showcases your skills.
Pinterest: The Visual Search Engine
Pinterest is a visual learner’s favourite place – we personally love it because it’s still social media but it feels so intimate and safe. As a user, it feels more “media” than social media.
The algorithm is focused on helping people discover new ideas, so it rewards high-quality, visually appealing pins with clear descriptions. Use relevant keywords, create eye-catching images, and build a strong board following. Pinterest is also a great place to drive traffic to your website, so make sure your pins link to something valuable.
Remember: These platforms are constantly evolving, so what works today might not work tomorrow. The key is to experiment, track your results, and stay curious – always.
The goal of these algorithms is to create a better experience for users, so the main thing to remember is to always focus on creating high-quality, engaging content that adds value to your audience. If you need a lil help with that, WEIRD is the place to be – feel free to book a discovery call with us and let’s chat!
