Can We Finally Hack The Instagram Algorithm in 2021?

In this week's episode, Sam and Tayler tackle Later Media's recent article breaking down how to "hack" the Instagram algorithm in 2021 based on advice directly from the source. 

This Is How The Instagram Algorithm Works in 2021 by Later Media

The algorithm is machine learning. Which means it’s collecting data about your behavior in order to put content you’re most likely to want in the future. It happens on social media, streaming services, e-commerce, etc. 

What does the algorithm look for?

  • Comments, likes, and reshares.

  • Saves aren’t as important and some posts floating around IG make it seems.

    So what’s the best way to get this engagement? Calls to action. CTA.

Try different types of CTAs to see what your audience responds best too. 

  • Questions

  • Direction to link in bios

  • Double taps

“Vanity numbers are not as important as engagement. ghost or inactive followers are potentially hurting your engagement in the algorithm.”

You can use an app to scrape your feed and remove ghost or inactive followers.

STORIES

  • If all you do each day is post your feed post to stories, that’s fine. It’s better than nothing!

  • Share relevant content in stories from other creators.

REELS

If Reels reach your audience, great. But create a strategic plan for the entire chain of command and map out all the content as you would any social media plan. 

SUMMARY

How can you package and deliver value to your audience in your caption?

  • Short-form captions vs. Long-form captions

  • Opt for hashtags that aren’t huge where your content is going to get lost in the chaos. 

  • Find hashtags that your ideal audience is interested in, try to get a niche. 

  • Create several groups of hashtags that are in line with the specific content of your post

  • Save groups to notes or Evernote on your phone

Resources:

Tayler Cusick Hollman