What Is the Instagram Algorithm?

The Instagram algorithm is a set of rules and processes that the platform uses to determine the order in which content is shown to users in their feed. The algorithm takes into account factors such as the user's past behavior on the platform, the engagement and interaction a post receives, and the timeliness of the content to decide which posts should be shown to each user first. The purpose of the algorithm is to show users content that they are most likely to be interested in, in order to keep them engaged with the platform for longer periods of time.

How Does the Instagram Algorithm Work in 2023?

What is the main takeaway? Three major indications are used by Instagram algorithms:
Who: With whose postings are you interacting? You're more likely to see someone's posts in your feed if you often like or comment on their stuff.

What kind of material do you interact with? For example, if you enjoy beauty stuff, the algorithm will continue to serve it to you.

When: "This focuses on when a post has been posted to decide if it's relevant to you," Laurise says. It also considers how frequently you swipe around the app, so it can determine what to emphasise.

Continue reading for a more detailed explanation of how each algorithm works based on the type of information.

How the Instagram Algorithm Works for Feed Posts in 2023?

Over the previous five years, the Instagram feed algorithm has evolved significantly, shifting to a model that prioritises curiosity.

When choosing how to rank a post on someone's Home feed, it considers the possibility of five major interactions. They are as follows:

Time spent: Will you devote time to the post?

Likes: How probable is it that you will enjoy the post?

How likely are you to leave a comment on the post?

Saves: Are you likely to save the post?

Taps on Profile: After viewing the post, how likely are you to tap on the profile?

But how does the algorithm know what content you're most likely to interact with?

Among these indications are:

Details about the position: Is this a photograph or a video? When was it published? How many people have liked it?

Details about the poster: How intriguing do you find them? Are they your pal? How frequently do users interact with their content?

Do you spend a lot of time watching videos? What kind of material do you generally consume?

Your previous interactions: Do you usually like or comment on the postings of the poster?

What is the takeaway? The Instagram algorithm tracks every interaction you have on the app, from the posts you like to the people you engage with, in order to show you material it thinks you'll enjoy.

What Else Can Influence Instagram Feed Post Ranking?

Aside from the interest score, there are also other characteristics that might influence where a post appears on someone's Home feed. These are some examples:
  • Image or video resolution
  • Originality (i.e. whether the post has been already posted on Instagram) (i.e. whether the post has been already shared on Instagram)
  • Watermarks
  • Infractions of the Instagram Community Guidelines
  • Content that has been reported

What Are the Most Important Engagements for the Instagram Algorithm?

When it comes to the Instagram algorithm, engagement is crucial.

It takes into account your tendency to remark, like, save, spend time, or tap on a profile.

Keeping this in mind, ask yourself the following questions as you create your content and captions:

  • Is it probable that this post will be liked or commented on?
  • Is this a post you'd bookmark and return to?
  • Is there a CTA (for example, "Click the link in my bio") in this article that will drive someone to tap on your profile?

In 2023, how does the Instagram Reels Algorithm work?

Knowing how to "hack" the Reels algorithm can be extremely beneficial for anyone looking to grow their following on Instagram.
Instagram prioritises Reels, like feed items, depending on what it considers a viewer is most likely to interact with, and employs a set of signals to assist rank content.
Instagram recommends that marketers and creators make Reels that are amusing, motivating, or experimental, and that they employ creative tools like as text, camera effects, or filters.
You should also avoid publishing Instagram Reels that are low-resolution, unclear, have been posted elsewhere, or are clearly recycled from some other app.
These Reels will be deprioritized, which means they will surface less frequently across the app.
We advocate uploading your Instagram Reels to your main feed to promote discoverability, utilising relevant keywords and hashtags to increase discoverability, and incorporating on-screen subtitles to make your material more approachable.

In 2023, how does the Instagram Stories Algorithm work?

Rather than the exact content of a post, the Instagram Stories algorithm often emphasises material from the accounts you engage with the most.
Because tales are short-lived, timing is less crucial — yet it can have a modest influence on ranking until a story reaches 10+ hours.
Keeping this in mind, it's a good idea to publish Instagram Stories that promote participation on a regular basis – poll, question, and quiz stickers are all excellent methods to boost conversations.
ICYMI, you can use Later to plan and schedule your Instagram Stories, as well as add descriptions or links and specify a post time.
When it's time to publish, you'll get everything you need sent directly to your phone, allowing you to share your content in seconds.

In 2023, how does the Instagram Explore Page Algorithm work?

Based on your previous interactions, the Instagram Explore page algorithm recommends stuff that it believes you would be interested in.
While the majority of the information in your Instagram Home feed comes from accounts you currently follow, the Explore feed is nearly completely made up of content from new accounts.
"The most significant behaviours we forecast in Explore include likes, saves, and shares," Instagram says.
The Explore page is continually growing, with new topic categories and sophisticated search capabilities being added on a regular basis.
For example, you can now search for relevant content streams using keywords as well as hashtags:
This implies that the Explore page algorithm takes into account both the visual content of your posts and the words in your caption.
By sharing engaging content with strong captions, relevant keywords, and niche hashtags on a regular basis, you're optimising your posts for Explore page prospects.

In 2023, how does the Instagram Algorithm work for business, creator, and personal accounts?

There have been speculations that the Instagram algorithm prefers Business profiles over other types of accounts.
However, Instagram affirmed in a series of Stories on the creators' account that all account types are handled similarly when it comes to the algorithms.
This means that whether you have a Personal, Creator, or Business account has no bearing on how the Instagram algorithm ranks your material.
However, converting to an Instagram Business account has its own set of benefits, such as the ability to Auto Publish your posts with Later
6 Strategies for "Beating" the Instagram Algorithm in 2023
If you want to increase your Instagram algorithm rating, you should drive as many interactions (likes, comments, saves, and clicks) as necessary.
And, as you gain traction with your current group, your material will begin to reach new audiences.

Here are six strategies for increasing your algorithmic ranking and reaching new audiences:

  • Share Instagram Reels on a Regular Basis
  • Instagram Stories Stickers Promote Interactions
  • Captions that are engaging can help to drive conversations.
  • Make Use of Hashtags and Keywords in Your Posts
  • Promote Your Instagram Content Through Other Platforms
  • Use Instagram Analytics to Discover What Works
#1: Consistently Share Instagram Reels Instagram Reels are still highly pushed throughout the app experience.
Furthermore, Reels have twice as much real space on the Instagram Explore tab, making them an important strategy for discovery and growth.

#2: Use Instagram Stories Stickers to Encourage More Interactions
Instagram Stories stickers are an excellent method to increase audience engagement – and the more engagement your stories receive, the higher they will be ranked by the Instagram algorithm.
There are numerous Instagram stickers, but the poll, emoji slider, and question stickers are the most effective in driving engagement.
TIP: Add a sticker to your first story for an extra boost!

#3: Use Engaging Captions to Start Conversations
Instagram has acknowledged that comments and likes are vital for feed ranking, so encourage as many as possible for your photos.
One of the most effective methods? Create compelling captions to increase engagement.
Simply asking your followers to express their ideas, double-tap if they agree, tag a friend in the comments, or click the link in your profile could enough.

#4: Incorporate Hashtags and Keywords into Your Posts
Adding hashtags and keywords to your Instagram posts is an effective strategy to reach more people, which equals more "views" for the Instagram algorithm to consider.
According to a recent Later study, feed posts with 30 hashtags receive the best level of engagement on average.
30 hashtags may seem like a lot, but using Later's Hashtag Suggestions tool is one method to find fresh hashtags for your company.
Hashtag Suggestions finds appropriate hashtags for your posts based on your caption and other hashtags you search for.
#5: Share Your Instagram Content With Others
Cross-promoting your Instagram content is a terrific place to start if you're looking for a quick and easy engagement victory to help increase your algorithm rating.
Instagram Collabs posts (with co-authorship) are a fantastic new approach to reach out to new audiences.
You'll exchange points of view, likes, and comments, allowing you to leverage and engage with one other's communities.
#6: Use Instagram Analytics to Determine What Works
One of the most dependable strategies to combat the Instagram algorithm is to track and monitor how your material performs on Instagram.
Knowing what works (and what doesn't) can allow you to create a more refined marketing strategy, saving you time and effort in the long run
However, looking into your Instagram Analytics entails more than just determining which photo, video, or Reel fared the best.
Determining how your content performs — by measuring important metrics over time — is critical to understanding what factors influence your ranking.
It provides a visual snapshot of how your material is functioning in an easy-to-digest style.

In summary, 

what is the greatest strategy to exploit the Instagram algorithm in 2023?
Understand your niche, produce entertaining material, and be consistent. The algorithm will take care of the rest!