The Creator’s Guide to Cracking Social Media Algorithms
As a content creator, it is important to understand how algorithms work on social media platforms in order to create better content and reach a wider audience. By understanding the rules of the game, you can optimize your content and increase your visibility.
One of the most popular platforms for creators is Instagram. The Instagram algorithm values recency, relationships, and interests. Recency means that new content is prioritized, so it is important to increase your post frequency. Building relationships with your audience by increasing engagement through direct messages, comments, and link clicks can also boost your visibility. Additionally, being consistent with your topics and using relevant hashtags can help the algorithm understand which audience to share your content with. You can also check out this article about the Instagram algorithm.
Increase your post frequency
Engage with your audience through direct messages, comments, and link clicks
Be consistent with your topics and use relevant hashtags
Utilize Instagram Stories and IGTV for additional engagement opportunities
YouTube
Another popular platform for creators is YouTube. The YouTube algorithm values watch time, so it is important to create longer videos that are engaging and keep viewers watching for longer. Creating more videos and using features like end screens, playlists, and cards can also help viewers discover your other videos. You can also check out this video for more information about the YouTube algorithm.
Create longer videos that are engaging and keep viewers watching for longer
Create more videos and use features like end screens, playlists, and cards to promote your other videos
Optimize your video titles, descriptions, and tags for search
Create engaging thumbnails to encourage clicks
TikTok
TikTok is a newer platform but it's also rapidly growing. It's a platform where although users can upload videos up to ten minutes in length, shorter videos tend to perform better as users with fast scrolls search for authentic, timely, and trend-based content. To optimize your content on TikTok, it is important to have a strong hook, be concise and keep it short – research shows that TikTok videos longer than a minute can potentially be perceived as stressful by viewers (Wired). Less produced is also better, as users are looking for real and authentic content. Being timely and striking while the iron is hot is also important. Additionally, using hashtags and text to describe your video can help users find your content through search. Stay up to date with any news posted by TikTok here.
Create short, authentic, and trend-based content
Use strong hooks and be concise in your videos
Use relevant hashtags and text to describe your video to help with search visibility
Utilize popular music and sounds to increase engagement
Monitor and respond to comments to increase engagement and build relationships with your audience.
Cracking the Code
Understanding how algorithms work on social media platforms can help creators create better content and reach a wider audience. By following the rules of the game and optimizing your content, you can increase your visibility and grow your audience. Remember, each platform is unique and the algorithm works differently, while constantly changing to improve the user experience, so make sure to research, understand and stay up-to-date with the algorithm of each platform you are using.