Decoding Instagram Algorithm: How to Get Seen

Have you ever created a post you were proud of, only to see it disappear into the void with barely any views? It’s a common frustration, but it isn’t bad luck. It’s the algorithm.

The good news is that the algorithm isn’t a mysterious monster. It’s just a system with a simple goal: to show people more of what they want to see. Think of the algorithm as the traffic system for a massive digital city. If you just drive randomly, you’ll get lost. But if you understand how the traffic flows, you can guide your content directly to the right destination. Our job isn’t to “beat” the algorithm; it’s to work with it.

The Four Signals That Matter Most

Instagram’s algorithm pays close attention to a few key signals to decide what content is valuable. If you understand these, you’re halfway there.

1. Engagement: This is the big one. Likes, comments, shares, and saves are the most powerful signals you can get. When a post receives a lot of interaction quickly, Instagram interprets it as high-quality content and shows it to more people. It’s a feedback loop: more engagement leads to more reach, which leads to more engagement.
2. Relationship: Who do you interact with? The algorithm prioritizes content from accounts you have a relationship with. This includes people you send DMs to, whose posts you comment on, and whose profiles you search for. This is why building a real community is more important than just having a high follower count.
3. Relevancy: Instagram looks at the types of content a user has engaged with in the past and shows them more of the same. If someone frequently likes posts about sourdough baking, the algorithm will make sure to show them content from other bakers.
4. Timeliness: While your feed isn’t strictly chronological anymore, recent posts are still given priority. Posting when your audience is most active is a simple way to give your content an initial boost.

How to Find Your Best Time to Post

Guessing when to post is a losing game. You can find your specific, data-backed posting times using the tool Instagram gives you for free.

Here’s how to access it:

• Go to your profile and tap the three lines in the top-right corner.
• Select Insights.
• Tap on Total Followers.
• Scroll down to the bottom, and you’ll find a graph showing the days and hours your followers are most active.

This data is your golden ticket. It tells you the exact times you should be scheduling your posts to get in front of the most people. Check this regularly, as it can change as your audience grows.

Your Action Item

The algorithm rewards content that grabs attention and sparks conversation. Your next step is to become a student of what works.

Your action item is to find three successful posts in your niche (from your account or others you admire). For each one, analyze and write down the following:

• The Hook: What did they do in the first three seconds (or in the image/headline) to make you stop scrolling?
• The Call to Action (CTA): How did they encourage people to engage? Did they ask a question? Did they say “Tag a friend”?

Deconstructing successful content is the fastest way to learn what the algorithm—and your audience—wants to see.