Social media algorithms are constantly evolving, making it tricky to keep up at times, particularly with a small team and limited resources.
Algorithm changes happen for a number of reasons, and can greatly impact how content is seen by your audience. In this short guide, we’ll explore tips for how you can stay nimble in the face of algorithm tweaks, and how to adapt your content strategy to maintain engagement and keep eyes on your content.
Staying updated with platform changes
One of the best pieces of advice we could give you is to stay up-to-date. Follow official channels and newsletters for the platforms you use, like Instagram Creators, Facebook for Creators etc. Adam Mosseri is also the current head of Instagram and is another account worth sharing for regular updates on new features on both Instagram and threads.
Reddit and other online communities and industry groups can also be a great way to tap into what other users, accounts, and business owners are doing. Forums generally are great for gaining insights on algorithm changes, asking questions, and getting a feel for whether other people are having the same experience as you.
Adapting content strategy for algorithm updates
Change up your content regularly, since algorithms favour various content types over time. Include a mixture of images, videos, stories, and live streams to make sure you’ve covered as many bases as possible.
This may mean prioritising high-quality, engaging content over frequent posting, so don’t be discouraged if it’s a struggle to keep up with your usual schedule for a time while you rework your content to adapt. Remember, algorithms often reward content that keeps users on the platform longer, hence the rise in video content and lives.
With this in mind, it can also be worth experimenting with long-form content and captions, such as articles, listicles and series to keep people coming back to your profile and reading your captions for longer.
🚨 April 2024 UPDATE: Instagram has recently announced an algorithm change that will affect and potentially discourage re-sharing original content. The social media giant also plans to show content to a wider audience, including non-followers to allow smaller creators a wider reach than they have otherwise been afforded under the old system. This is due to be rolled out over the coming months.
Monitor, measure & adapt
Continuously monitor your content performance using platform-specific analytics tools. Report numbers weekly, and look out for trends and correlations following algorithm updates. Be open to experimentation. Test different content formats, posting times, and engagement strategies to adapt. Develop your content strategy so that it can quickly and easily be adapted to algorithm changes. Be ready to pivot when needed.
Remember: adapting to algorithm changes is an ongoing process in the ever-evolving world of social media. By staying informed, diversifying your content, and prioritising engagement and relevance, you can maintain a resilient and robust social media presence.
Content first
When planning and brainstorming your content, remember to adopt a 'content first' mindset. This means considering the platform you're posting to, the information, the format, and the visuals all as one whole.
Numbers are of course important, but the quality of your content is what matters most. Is it appealing to your follower's needs and interests? Is it what they followed you for, and is it what they want to be seeing in their feed?
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