Instagram’s newly revealed ranking algorithm has everyone talking. The techies call it the Instagram Feed AI system, but let’s keep things simple. The AI decides what you see in your feed based on various factors like who you follow, what you like, and how you interact. The aim is to make your feed as engaging and relevant to you as possible.
The Instagram Feed Journey in Four Steps:
- Gather available posts: IG collects posts from everyone you follow and removes any that violate their Community Guidelines.
- Leverage signals: Certain “input signals” are considered to shortlist around 500 relevant posts. Things like who made the post and what type of content it is.
- Make predictions: The AI uses these input signals to guess what you’d like to see.
- Rank posts by score: Based on these guesses, each post is scored. The higher the score, the higher the post appears in your feed.
I know it can feel a bit like magic, but there’s a well-designed system working behind the scenes to curate your Instagram feed. It’s all about helping you discover content that not only catches your eye but also truly resonates with you.
The Instagram AI uses something called “prediction models.” Think of these as smart little elves that are excellent at guessing which posts you’re going to love. They analyze things you’ve done in the past, like posts you’ve engaged with, and use this information to showcase similar, engaging content in your feed.
So, each time you like, share, or even spend time viewing a post, you’re giving these elves a hint. They use these hints—referred to as ‘input signals’—to line up your next scroll-worthy content.
In a nutshell, the more active and authentic you are in your interactions, the more tailored and rewarding your Instagram experience will be.
Profile Visits
Why It’s Important:
Profile visits are a strong indicator to Instagram that your content is compelling enough to make viewers want to know more about you.
How to Implement
Leave Thought-Provoking Comments:
Why It’s Important: Clever, relevant comments on posts from big accounts that your target audience follows can pique curiosity and drive traffic to your profile.
How to Implement:
- Identify industry leaders or influential accounts your potential clients are likely following.
- Leave engaging, insightful comments under their posts. Avoid generic phrases like “Great post!” Instead, add value by sharing a tip or an interesting fact.
Flashy, Yet Professional Profile Picture:
Why It’s Important: A catchy profile photo grabs attention and can make people more inclined to check out who you are.
How to Implement:
- Use vibrant colors that align with your brand.
- Make sure the image is clear and professional, possibly featuring your logo or a product you offer.
Tease New Content Through Stories
Why It’s Important: Piquing curiosity instead of revealing everything can get more people to tap through to your profile.
How to Implement:
- Post a story with plain text announcing your new product or offer. Use the ‘@mention’ sticker with your Instagram handle to invite clicks to your profile for the full details.
Leverage the “Link in Bio”
Why It’s Important: Your bio link is prime real estate for driving traffic to a specific action like grabbing a freebie or offer.
How to Implement:
- Announce a special deal or freebie in your posts and stories and direct your audience to click the ‘Link in Bio’ for more information or to claim the offer.
Highlight
Why It’s Important: Highlights can serve as a quick reference or portfolio for your services or products.
How to Implement:
- Mention in your posts/reels that further details or testimonials can be found in a specific Highlight on your profile. Invite your audience to tap on it.
Engage with Humor or Wit in Comments:
Why It’s Important: A funny or clever comment can not only earn you likes but also intrigue people enough to check out your profile.
How to Implement:
- Pick popular posts in your domain or related fields.
- Inject your personality into the comments section in a way that’s both entertaining and on-brand for you.
Creative Profile Bio and Picture:
Why It’s Important: First impressions matter. A unique and creative profile picture and bio can make people want to explore your content further.
How to Implement:
- Opt for a profile photo that encapsulates your creativity—be it through artistic elements, unusual poses, or fascinating backdrops.
- Craft a bio that’s not just informative but also teases the kind of content visitors can expect, luring them in for more.
Story Teasers for New Content
Why It’s Important: A little suspense makes people want to dig deeper and check out your profile.
How to Implement:
- Tease your new artwork, blog, or video in a story using plain text and an ‘@mention’ sticker. This nudges people to tap through to your profile for the full experience.
“Link in Bio” for Exclusive Content
Why It’s Important: Exclusive content feels special and will make your followers want to know more.
How to Implement:
- Share a sneak peek of your new project and tell your followers that the full content can be accessed via the ‘Link in Bio’.
Use Highlights for Extended Narratives
Why It’s Important: Your highlights can function as an ongoing series or portfolio that you can easily reference.
How to Implement:
- When posting new content, remind your audience that related content or a continuation of the topic can be found in one of your Highlights on your profile.
Time Spent on Posts
Why It’s Important:
The longer viewers spend on your post, the better it performs algorithmically.
How to Implement
- High-Quality Imagery
- Why It’s Important: Crystal-clear visuals invite viewers to linger and absorb details.
- How to Implement: Prioritize quality by using a good camera and thoughtful lighting setups.
- Captivating Captions
- Why It’s Important: An engaging caption can pull people in, inviting them to stay awhile.
- How to Implement: Draft captions that tell a story or provide valuable information, akin to a mini-blog post.
- Carousel Posts
- Why It’s Important: The swiping action keeps users engaged longer, allowing you to share more content or perspectives.
- How to Implement: Use the carousel feature to unfold a narrative, display a product range, or walk through a process.
- Direct Comment Engagement
- Why It’s Important: An interactive comments section keeps the user interested and more likely to stick around.
- How to Implement: Be prompt in responding to comments and ask open-ended questions to stimulate discussion.
- Text Overlays in Reels
- Why It’s Important: Adding textual context to video content can make it more engaging.
- How to Implement: Use concise and relevant text overlay to reinforce or add to the video message.
- Hidden Visual Details
- Why It’s Important: Intricate or hidden elements prompt users to inspect your visuals more closely.
- How to Implement: Incorporate subtle details or ‘Easter eggs’ that require a second or third look to notice.
- Compelling Reels
- Why It’s Important: A well-crafted reel can hook viewers, compelling them to watch it multiple times.
- How to Implement: Build reels that tell a story, offer quick tips, or simply captivate through visual or auditory elements.
- Emotionally Resonant Content
- Why It’s Important: Posts that evoke feelings can engage viewers on a deeper level.
- How to Implement: Share personal stories, beliefs, or sentiments that align with your brand and resonate with your audience.
- Intriguing Audio in Reels
- Why It’s Important: The right soundtrack or voiceover can make viewers replay your content.
- How to Implement: Choose an audio track that meshes well with your reel, be it trending music or your own narration.
Shares on Platform or Outside the Platform
Why It’s Important: A post that’s frequently shared within the community is perceived as valuable content, thus receiving more visibility.
How to Implement
Engage from the First Sentence
Why It’s Important: The first line is your handshake; it sets the tone. Make it compelling to draw people in. How to Implement: Craft an opening line that is either thought-provoking, insightful, or directly addresses a need or curiosity your audience has.
Spark Curiosity
Why It’s Important: Prompting your audience to click ‘more’ can expand your reach. How to Implement: Tease value or a narrative that will be unveiled when they choose to read the full caption. Make them want to unveil the story or insight that lies beyond.
Add Value Through Your Caption
Why It’s Important: This is where you can share wisdom, insights, or any valuable information. How to Implement: Expand upon your first line with meaningful content that delivers on the promise or intrigue you initially presented. Provide real value so the audience feels rewarded for their click.