Instagram’s New Algorithm Will Change the Game

Promoted by Chronicle Republic.

For the first time ever, Instagram have publicly released how their new algorithm works. Find out what’s changing and how changes will impact your reach and engagement.

It is no secret that Instagram has been rapidly developing as the preferred social media platform for users to engage with since it’s 2010 origin. With 500 million active users globally, it is now listed as the second most popular social media networking tool, second only to its cousin platform Facebook.

June 2018 has seen the combination of Instagram’s best and brightest providing us with the secret formula that everyone has been waiting for: the nitty gritty clockwork behind the #selfies and #sunsets showing in your feed.

Instagram’s recent product lead announced that the new algorithm will change your Instagram feed, personalising the content you see and prioritising the posts you engage with most.

This fresh new algorithm will be implemented based on three core elements: Interest, Timeliness, and Relationships. Let us break this down for you.

CORE FACTOR NUMBER ONE: INTEREST

Do you prefer image content, or video content? Text graphics or landscape imagery? You don’t know the answer? Don’t worry! Instagram will soon determine this for you. The algorithm will establish your interest in an individual post by factoring in the level of engagement you have had with similar content in the past.

This aspect of the algorithm will use Instagram’s evolving image recognition tools to facilitate content that you don’t even realise you’re engaging with. Instagram will be giving you what you want, without you even realising.

CORE FACTOR NUMBER TWO: TIMELINESS

Step aside reverse chronological feed and make way for the new timeliness feature! TechCrunch, after attending Instagram’s product lead event, has confirmed the new ‘You’re All Caught Up – You’ve seen all new posts from the past 48 hours’ feature will be implemented in the algorithm update. This means it will be possible to scroll completely to the bottom of your feed, ensuring you never miss a travel picture, a morning coffee post, or a beautiful landscape image again. However, the time it will take you to actually see all this content will depend on the number of accounts you follow and how many sponsored posts you are shown in your feed – if you follow thousands of accounts, you might be scrolling for days to see every post!

CORE FACTOR NUMBER THREE: RELATIONSHIPS

Your relationship with the post creator will also significantly impact the content you will see in your feed. Whether that user’s posts will take priority in your new Instagram feed is based on how much you have engaged with that user in the past including the amount of comments, likes, messages, and post tags you have shared.

So, there you have it! The three core factors the new Instagram algorithm will bring to your news feed.

Beyond these three factors, here is a quick break down of three additional signals that will influence your feed:

• Frequency – how often you open Instagram. The algorithm will show you the best content since you have visited last, which will vary depending on how often you use Instagram.
• Following – the more people you follow, the more content there is to get through! You may see less of specific people, and more of what Instagram classifies as relevant for you.
• Usage – the amount of time you spend on Instagram determines whether you’re just seeing the best posts during short sessions, or whether you’re digging deeper in the Instagram catalog by spending more total time browsing.

WHAT DO THESE CHANGES MEAN YOUR BUSINESS?

Social media is in a constant state of evolution. Here at Chronicle Republic we believe the latest Instagram algorithm update indicates the platform is shifting towards a ‘Pay for Play’ model. We have seen this happen in the past few years with the Facebook algorithm, and if you weren’t already aware Instagram is owned by Facebook.

Essentially, it will become far more difficult for businesses to achieve results organically on the Instagram platform. Now more than ever, companies will need to foster genuine communities of local users to boost and maintain reach and engagement on Instagram. Businesses should do their research into these latest changes announced by Instagram and consider ways to incorporate these new factors into their social media strategy.

WHY SOCIAL MEDIA REQUIRES SPECIALISED EXPERTISE

Authentic engagement is the result of polished, professional and consistent communications. Did you know it takes an average of 12 hours per week to manage 1 social media profile? (Source: Buffer.com).

In such a rapidly changing landscape, investing in a team of social media experts will help you achieve quality results for your efforts. These digital professionals will strategize, create and cultivate an active community of local users relevant to your business, and amplify your results using targeted social media advertising.  

Ready to get started? See more in Episode 8 of The Digital Chronicle!

Need help with your digital marketing?

Chronicle Republic is a boutique digital marketing agency for property professionals looking to work on their business and not in their business.

We specialise in social media, content marketing, email marketing, blogging, search engine optimisation, social media advertising and much more! We work with some of the top agents and agencies in the business and are the leading provider of quality social media content and strategy in the industry.

If you are looking for help building your profile on social media for your real estate business our digital marketing experts can help you bring your brand’s story to life.

About Tiffany Wilson

Tiffany founded Chronicle Republic to pursue her love of property and interiors and her drive to make brands shine.

Over 10 years of experience in the property industry across residential sales, property management and marketing means Tiffany has unique industry experience and truly understands the needs of her customers.

With a Master’s Degree in Marketing and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Tiffany has wealth of experience, and has worked on dozens of marketing projects for businesses in the property, interior design and home improvement industries.

Former Marketing Director for an award winning, innovative real estate agency, Tiffany was awarded the first ever real estate industry award for Digital Marketing in 2014.

Tiffany is passionate about seeing other businesses grow and prides herself on helping brands bring their stories to life.