Ask any marketer and they will tell you keeping with the social media algorithm is the bane of their existence! It is like hitting a moving target where staying ahead or even keeping up seems quite challenging.
However, coping with the changing algorithm is important if you want to maintain visibility and growth.
The important thing, then, is to understand how these algorithms work and how you can adapt quickly. This post highlights a few smart tactics you can employ to keep your content in front of the right people at the right time.
Social Media Algorithms- A Brief Overview
For any social media platform, its algorithm is like its backbone! It is the algorithm that decides which content appears in your feeds by factoring in different factors, such as:
- Engagement
- Content relevancy
- Content type
- User relationships (based on past interactions, if any)
- Recency
The challenge is that these algorithms continue evolving to better serve social media users. Keeping track of the changes and tweaking your strategy accordingly is important for staying visible.
Focusing on Authentic Engagement
Algorithms love authentic interactions! Over time, social media platforms have become quite smart at detecting fake engagement, like bots or spammy comments.
So, if you want to stay ahead, focus on having real conversations with your audience. This will improve your reach and engagement significantly.
Engaging authentically with the audience will send a positive signal to the algorithm and improve your chances of appearing in more feeds.
Tips for authentic engagement:
- Post open-ended questions to prompt thoughtful responses
- Respond quickly to comments and messages
- Share content that evokes emotions in your audience
Using Diverse Content Formats
Social media platforms, especially the ones driven by video-based content like Instagram and TikTok, give priority to diverse content formats.
For instance, TikTok is known for short form videos, while Instagram’s algorithm now gives a boost to Reels. That said, mixing up your content will help you keep your audience interested and will also satisfy the algorithm’s preference for variety.
Tips to diversify your content formats
- Experiment with different formats like videos, stories, carousels, and infographics.
- Use live video or behind-the-scenes content to engage with your audience in real-time
- Test different video lengths and styles to assess what gets the most responses from the audience.
Maintaining Relevance with Consistency
It is a well-known fact that social media platforms reward consistency. Do not just focus on posting often- also try to post when your audience is most active. A consistent posting schedule will ensure your content is fresh and visible.
Tips for consistency:
- Use analytics tools to determine the best time for posting
- Have a steady posting schedule
- Do not post too much content to avoid overwhelming the audience
- Use a content calendar to plan your posts in time and stay organized
Making Use of Platform-Specific Features
Social media platforms introduce new features quite frequently, and their algorithm is designed to give priority to the content that uses them!
Take Instagram Reels, for instance! When they were launched, the platform heavily favored those posts.
When you adopt new features early, you can also boost your visibility and get a preferred ranking from the algorithm. Your proactiveness will be appreciated by the algorithm.
Tips for using new features:
- Keep an eye on new announcements from each platform to stay updated about new features
- Use the new features as they are released and get early traction
- Try making content types that are specific to the platform
Investing in Paid Strategies
Organic growth on a wide scale is like a dream come true for any brand, creator, or influencer trying to make it big. However, it does not come easily, and there are times when you may need to supplement your efforts with paid strategies to keep your brand visible. One such tactic could be to employ a growth service to purchase social media followers.
Another more obvious tactic is paid advertising. It helps ensure your content reaches the right audience, even when organic reach is slow.
Tips for using paid ads:
- Employ advanced targeting tools to reach the ideal audience
- Create a striking ad comprising content your audience likes to engage with
- Try different formats to see what gets the most engagement
Endnote
Being proactive and adaptable is an essential requisite for navigating the algorithm! Regardless of which tactics you employ, the important consideration is to test, learn, and evolve with the algorithm continuously. 
The better you understand the changes as and when they occur, the stronger will be your position to grow your social media presence.
At the end of the day, algorithms are designed to serve users with the best possible content. Keep that in mind, and you will naturally stay ahead.
Sources
https://www.neatandsocial.com/post/what-you-need-to-know-about-algorithm-changes