Instagram Algorithm 2022 | What's new + Instagram Growth in 2022

What’s changed on Instagram in 2022? Here’s an in-depth look inside how to grow your account with the algorithm changes in 2022. 

Do you want to hack the Instagram Algorithm, and grow your Instagram account in 2022?

This blog (and the video above) will show you how the algorithm works, and what exactly it means for business owners and content creators who use Instagram and don’t want their content to get lost.

You’re getting tips on how to make content that gets you noticed, and tricks to hack the algorithm.

It’s now more difficult than ever for smaller business accounts to gain visibility organically on instagram.
But that absolutely does not mean you can’t succeed on Instagram in 2022.

BUT – in order to succeed, anyone with a business account needs to understand the algorithm, and play the game well.

 

So today – I will be sharing with you literally everything I’ve learned from my hours and hours of research on the algorithm, all pulled from top reliable sources like Planoly and Foundr, and Later, and Instagram themselves, among other industry leaders who help accounts get visible on Instagram.

We are covering these topics:

  • … What does the algorithm do?
  • … The four stages the algorithm uses to judge your content in 2021 (and how posts go viral)
  • … The 6 key factors of the algorithm in 2021
  • … Changes to the Explore Page & SEO on Instagram
  • … What business owners should be doing on Instagram in 2021

What does the Instagram algorithm do?

The instagram algorithm exists to improve user experience. It sorts through all of the content from people you follow and tries to serve you what you’re most likely to be interested in – based on the history of your interactions with other accounts, based on your interests, and based on how viral a post is.

 

Long story short, The Instagram App is trying to give you an experience where you get to consume content that you like – so that you spend as much time on the app as possible.

 

Because that’s the way that Instagram makes money.

The app makes money off of people who are running ads, and the impressions or views that those ads get.

So – the better the algorithm does its job, the longer time you spend on instagram, and the more times you see ads, and maybe even do some shopping, which ultimately makes Instagram money.

 

Those are the basics of what the algorithm does.

Why do they matter?

 

Well, if you have a business account, (which you absolutely should if you’re an entrepreneur or a content creator or an influencer) – and if you want people to see your content, you need to pay attention to the changes that are happening!


You also need to understand the four stages the algorithm uses to judge your content in 2021 (and how posts go viral)

1.
You post a piece of content and Instagram gives your post an engagement score.

2.
The algorithm assigns a current quality score to your ACCOUNT.

3.
The algorithm shows your post on hashtags.

4.
Your post shows up on the Explore Page.

I found a great resource that explained how the algorithm judges your content once you’ve posted it. (Znap)

 

The algorithm judges your post in stages.

 

At each stage, the algorithm analyzes the engagement your post is getting – this includes the likes, shares, comments, saves and time spent viewing.

 

And at each stage your post will be pushed to more accounts.

 

According to this site, the only way to move onto the next stage is to pass the stage before.

 

Here are what those stages look like.

Stage One: You post a piece of content and Instagram gives your post an engagement score.

When you first post, the algorithm shows it to around 10% of your followers.

 

It studies how those users interact with your recently uploaded content, and assigns that post an engagement score.

 

That score changes as it’s seen by more people, and can fluctuate up or down.

 

Without an initial reaction from a small percentage of your followers, your post has no hope to show up on the explore page or hashtags.

 

(This is why having an engaged audience  is crucial to your growth! )

 

Pay specific attention to likes, comments, shares and saves – and view time on your post is also important.

In Stage 2: The algorithm assigns a current quality score to your ACCOUNT.

This is where many accounts fail…

 

Your current quality score is a representation of how important you are to instagram.

 

They factor in mentions, tags and profile visits when determining account value.

 

The more important you are, based on these factors, the higher your current quality score.

Stage 3: the algorithm shows your post on hashtags.

Instagram takes your engagement score and current quality score and one other ranking factor called “Content Category”…

 

… which was not explained in detail, but I’m assuming that it has to do with what kind of account you have…

 

… and what niche you’re in, and how relevant and valuable your content and account is in that specific niche.

 

And based on your engagement score, current quality score, “Content Category” factor – instagram will push your post out to hashtag pages.

Stage 4: your post shows up on the explore page.

This is where your post will have the most organic reach, and is the ultimate goal for business owners who use Instagram to market their business.

So those are the four stages.

 

Your post is shown to 10% of your followers and gets an engagement score.

 

Then your account gets a current quality score.

 

Then your content gets pushed out to hashtags, and then to the explore page.

 

Now – if your account is not super “important” to instagram – we’re talking about that Current Quality score…

 

… does that mean your content will not succeed?

 

NO.

 

It just means you need to focus on making quality content CONSISTENTLY, and upping your engagement with your current audience.

The 6 key factors in the Instagram algorithm changes in 2021.

It’s now more difficult than ever for smaller business accounts to gain visibility organically on instagram.
But that absolutely does not mean you can’t succeed on Instagram in 2022.

BUT – in order to succeed, anyone with a business account needs to understand the algorithm, and play the game well.

 

So today – I will be sharing with you literally everything I’ve learned from my hours and hours of research on the algorithm, all pulled from top reliable sources like Planoly and Foundr, and Later, and Instagram themselves, among other industry leaders who help accounts get visible on Instagram.

We are covering these topics:

  • … What does the algorithm do?
  • … The four stages the algorithm uses to judge your content in 2021 (and how posts go viral)
  • … The 6 key factors of the algorithm in 2021
  • … Changes to the Explore Page & SEO on Instagram
  • … What business owners should be doing on Instagram in 2021