Algorithm
Definition
An algorithm is a set of rules a social media platform uses to decide which content appears in a user's feed. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok each have their own algorithm that ranks content based on signals such as engagement, relevance, and recency. The algorithm determines whether your post is shown to ten people or ten thousand.
Why It Matters
Understanding how algorithms work helps you create content that gets seen by more people without spending a cent on advertising. When you align your content strategy with what the algorithm rewards, consistency, engagement, and relevance, your organic reach improves significantly. Ignoring the algorithm means your posts may never appear in your audience's feed, no matter how good they are.
Example
A cafe in Adelaide posts a Reel showing a latte art tutorial. Because the video gets strong engagement in the first 30 minutes (likes, saves, shares), Instagram's algorithm pushes it to the Explore page, where it reaches 15,000 people organically.
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