6 Surprising Ways to Beat

The Instagram Algorithm

BY @MIZKS
DISCLAIMER: All tips were made by me, I came up with everything.
The following tips use as a suggestion, and nothing further. Also,
please note that these tips are no magic tricks. They work, but they
will not solve the algorithm completely or make it gone. Take this into
consideration.

THE TIPS
First, if you don't know what the Instagram algorithm is or
how it works, I suggest getting acknowledged on the topic
before reading this guide.

#1 Don't post ANYTHING that is not an edit.

For example, a lot of editors tend to post their edits
previews, asking for dts, theme dividers or random posts
that AREN'T edits. While understandable, you must
realize this increases your chances of getting beaten by
the Instagram algorithm. As you may know, each time you
post, Instagram is looking to see whether your followers
are interested in your posts, using factors like engagement
– likes, comments and saves. If your followers engage,
they will most likely see your future posts. If they don't,
Instagram takes it that they aren't interested in your
content, therefore your posts most likely won't show to
these users further on. Now, all these posts that aren't
edits – theme dividers, edits previews, etc. don't usually
get lots of attention for understandable reasons. But you
must understand that Instagram counts each theme
divider and each preview post as a USUAL post, that if
your followers don't engage in, you know the drill – they
most likely won't see your future edits in their feed.
Therefore, it's better you post EDITS and only edits, as
they encourage your wide audience to engage far more
than posts that aren't edits. And as for your edit previews,
asking for dts, games and so on, you can do these on
your story.

#2 Make posts that require/encourage your followers

to engage.
This tip is slightly based on the previous tip, but it works
the other way around. If you are currently disappointed by
the engagement rate and are worried that because of that,
followers will not see your edits in their feed, here's what
you could do to improve the current situation: Post posts
that encourage or require your followers to engage!
Meaning, you should post a post that the majority of your
followers would want to comment on or like on. It can be
an activity check, a small giveaway or anything you think
your followers would want to comment or like on.

#3 Don't post when everyone posts.

There are some days of the week that the majority of
editors tend to post, like Saturday or Sunday. My advice to
you is – don't post on the same day that all the editors
post. Why? Because that means you'll have to "compete"
on the spotlight with so more many options. Just think
about it, if you post and at the same day with 10 more
editors, naturally your followers won't see all 10 edits, but
only edits of editors they engage with the most, 10 edits is
a lot, therefore, leaving Instagram a lot of options of edits
to show on your followers feed, and you may not be one of
them. But if you post on a day with 2 more edits, there are
fewer edits posted in general, so your chances are
increased because there aren’t a lot of options.
But, PLEASE NOTE – You must find the balance. Posting
on an inactive followers' day is no better either, because
due to their inactivity not a lot of people would open
Instagram and therefore won't check your post which
again – lowers the chances they will see your future posts.
So what should you do? Find the balance between the
most inactive day for editors to post and the most active
day for your followers. Meaning, the ideal is to post on a
day that not a lot of editors post BUT that your followers
are active on.

#4 Distinguish between views and engagement

A "flop" can mean different things, but you must
distinguish between two types of "flops":
Views flop (getting lower views than expected), and
engagement flop (getting fewer likes, comments and
saved than expected)
While an "engagement flop" is more connected directly to
the Instagram algorithm that hides your posts from some
of your followers, a "views flop" does not connect directly
to the Instagram algorithm. It is mainly determined by
whether you did or did not reach the explore page and
whether you're "shadowbanned" or not. Getting to explore
page, however, is also affected in a way by the Instagram
algorithm, but again, not in a direct way.
#5 Let your followers know you posted, and at the
right time.
When you post, let your followers know in your story!
Preferably several times (it can be on the same day or a
few days apart). This tip is probably pretty obvious, but I
wanted to mention it anyway because some editors still
don't do this. You must understand, that if some of your
followers don't see your posts in their feed, there is NO
OTHER WAY for them to know you posted. Letting your
followers know you posted is a basic action, in my opinion,
to increase engagements.
Another thing you would like to pay attention to is WHEN
you let your followers know you posted. It is always better
to let them know while there aren't a lot of "story pages" in
your story. That's because when you spam on your story,
a lot of followers may skip it or just swipe all the way
through without actually paying attention to the content
due to laziness (come on, we have all done that).
Therefore, promoting your edit while your story is full of
spam is not a good option. So, what should you do?
Decide in advance on a day to post on, and make sure
you don't post a lot of stories on that day. I usually post no
more than 5 stories these days.

#6 Interact with your followers

Interacting with your followers on your story can gain their
bigger interest in you and your page and therefore will
result in them checking your story or profile page more
often. Making sure that your followers check your story is
also important. Let alone that you let your followers know
you posted on there; your story is also an important tool
because it is also one of the engagement factors that
Instagram takes in count to check if your followers are
interested in your content. Followers who check your story
more often would usually be marked as "interested
followers" and therefore the chances for your posts to
appear in their feeds will increase.

That's it! Hope you find it useful

Guide posted 22.02.2020