Back in 2018, I decided to leave the corporate world and jump onto the platform in full force. At the time, Instagram was my primary source of traffic and business, which meant that I was 100% focused on keeping up to date on how to beat the Instagram algorithm. 

What We know About the Algorithm Year to Year

With the addition of Instagram stories, insights, and more, figuring out how to beat the Instagram algorithm year after year can be hard!

If you’re looking to work with brands on Instagram (you can read my blog on how to do that here) then, unfortunately, keeping up with the algorithm is a must. So what will the 2022 Instagram algorithm have in store? Continue reading…

Two Factors For Beating The 2022 Instagram Algorithm

• Engagement Is Key: The 2022 Instagram algorithm works by showing users content they are likely to engage with. Have you ever noticed that when you like someone’s posts, you tend to see more of them on your feed? There are tons of ways to engage. And no, Instagram does not limit your content to be seen by 10% of your followers. That is a myth! If you scroll down your feed long enough, you will see posts from every single account you follow. So how do we engage enough to beat the 2022 Instagram algorithm? I talk about that more in this blog!
• Time Is Everything: Instagram is a social platform that makes money from ads. The easiest way for your followers to see company ads is to keep your followers on the app longer. That means that the more time you keep your followers on the app, the more the Instagram algorithm will favour you.

Keeping Your Audience Engaged: The Basics

• Photo Posts
• Videos Posts
• Stories
• Reply to your DMs
• Respond to Comments
• Color Grade your Feed

The items listed above should happen on a daily basis if you want to beat the 2020 Instagram algorithm! I have used these same techniques to grow my own page.

Engagement Specifics for Beating The 2022 Instagram Algorithm

What I mentioned above must be done on your feed on a regular basis if you want to beat the Instagram algorithm. Below I break these items down.

1. Post Photos

If you want the best chance at growing your account and beating the Instagram algorithm, you need to post to Instagram every day! Consistency gives your followers something to look forward to. 

2. Post Reels

How do videos keep users engaged? Videos are great for story telling. Selfie videos, for example, let your users feel a closer connection to you and want to see more. If you don’t want to post reels on your feed, post stories.

3. Post Stories

While stories do not currently end up on the Explore page, they’re a great way to stay on top of each of your followers’ feeds! More influencers are turning to this method for beating the Instagram algorithm.

4. Reply to DMs

When someone takes the time to send you a message, it’s usually for a good reason. Because the Instagram algorithm aims to show off the most engaging pages/ content, you should be looking for the best ways to interact with your audience! Show them you care. Reply to those DMs people.

5. Reply to Comments

See above. If we want to beat the Instagram algorithm, we need to engage! Your followers want to interact with you. 

6. Color Grade Your Feed

This tip goes into personal branding, the “time” aspect of beating the Instagram algorithm and more. However, I placed this under engagement because I do think a color graded feed helps with engagement. You want your followers to recognizes your work and love it! New followers want to go onto your feed, like multiple images and scroll forever. Having an overall “look” to your feed will keep Instagram users interested in your content! I like using apps like  SNUG to plan my feed and match colors.

Pro Tip: I use Adobe Lightroom and my MacBook to edit all of my photos like the ones on my feed and those below.

Time Specifics for Beating The 2022 Instagram Algorithm

Okay so you are posting daily, replying to comments, answering DMs, but those are the easy tasks. What about time? How do I get my audience to spend more time on the app? Let’s talk about that and the 2022 Instagram algorithm!

1. Get Creative With Video

With the creation of IGTV, it’s no surprise that Instagram is ramping up for video. Instagram recently made an algorithm update which allows you to share one minute video previews directly to your profile grid. Once the preview is over, your followers are shown a Keep Watching button to continue watching the video in IGTV. 

No one is saying you have to be a videographer to work in favour of the Instagram algorithm, but creating simple vlogs, compilations of your travels, etc. are easy ways to incorporate more video into your feed and beat the 2022 Instagram algorithm. Did you know that IGTV videos show on the Explore page too? Remember, our goal is to get followers to spend time on the app. 

2. Put More Effort Into Stories

If you’re looking to beat the Instagram algorithm, you must, must, must use Instagram Stories! Instagram Stories are an easy way to end up at the top of your follower’s feed. Post multiple stories in increments throughout the day. I would recommend sticking to 10 story slides a day. Use polls, funny gifs, and “questions” stickers to keep your audience engaged. You can also incorporate videos into your Instagram Stories, which checks off the video changes made to the platform.

3. Use Hashtags Where You Can

Similar to previous years, adding hashtags to your posts is still a must. However, now you can follow hashtags. Talk about a great way to see what others are posting! But guess what: have you ever added hashtags to your stories? That’s right. You’ll notice that when you go to a specific hashtag page, the stories that tag that hashtag appear at the top of the page! Beat the Instagram algorithm and make use of hashtag opportunities. Your followers can also click on the hashtags you use in your stories, so they can explore other content in that hashtag pool, meaning they will spend more time on the app- bingo.

4. Make Use Of Carousel Posts

Remember, we want our followers to spend more time looking at what we post so the Instagram algorithm favours us. What better way to have time on your side than with a carousel post? Share a gallery of images, videos, or seamless panos to force your followers to take a minute to dive into your post. Time is our best friend with the Instagram algorithm! 

Other Ways To Beat The Instagram Algorithm

1. Be Social

One of the fastest ways to beat the 2022 Instagram algorithm, and get exposure to new followers, is to connect with others. Instagram is a social network, so you really must be social. Meet up with other bloggers, photographers, and influencers you admire. Tag each other in your stories to get each other’s followers to take a peek at your pages. Your followers will jump from page to page to keep following along with the adventure.

2. Read Up On Your Insights

To beat the Instagram algorithm in 2022, you need to post quality content and make a note of what your followers enjoy. What do they engage with the most? Part of posting quality content is using Instagram Insights to get into the specifics of how followers are interacting with your page.

3. Get Personal

Long-tail content is making a comeback! Your followers want to know you. A great way to get them to spend more time (remember how time is our best friend?) on your content is to post more extended, more personal captions that show a vulnerable side to you. Be real. Connect with your followers and build a community. You can also ask a question at the end of each post so your followers have an easy way to start a conversation with you.

The Golden Rule

Always find ways to use the newest features Instagram has to offer throughout the year! I have noticed an increase in my engagement when I take the time to see what new features Instagram adds, and incorporate them into my page. The 2022 Instagram algorithm is bound to change throughout the year, so keep up with the latest and greatest!

I hope this helps you ramp up for the 2022 Instagram algorithm! If you’d like to read more social media tips, check out my other blogs here. You can also subscribe to The Goofy Mermaid blog below and get notified when I have more social media tips.