If you’re a social media geek (a term of love here at Moyens I/O HQ), you’ve probably reviewed our guide to the Instagram algorithm in your quest to get better engagement on your business’ Instagram account. But if you really want Instagram reels in special To make a splash, it’s important to know that this Instagram feature has its own proprietary algorithm for wrestling. So get oiled and ready to get in the ring.
Instagram Reels are, of course, short-form videos that Instagram introduced in 2020 as a rival to TikTok. Simple editing tools allow creators to use effects and filters, stitch together multiple shots, and combine music clips to create fun, enabling Instagram Reels to engage in just minutes (and unlike Instagram Stories, they don’t disappear after 24 hours) ).
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But like everything else on Instagram, no matter how masterpiece your video is, your potential to become a viral star is at the mercy of the all-powerful Instagram algorithm: that behind-the-scenes code that decides whether or not to deliver a video until the very end. or bury it in the dark.
Here’s how the Instagram Reels algorithm works in 2022and what you can do to make the not so secret recipe work in your favor.
How does the Instagram Reals algorithm work?
The Instagram Reels algorithm decides which Reels are shown to which Instagram user. (Too authoritarian!)
You’ll see Reels of accounts you follow in your main feed, but there are two other places where Instagram Reels from other creators and brands can be discovered:
- Reels tab This is basically Instagram’s version of TikTok For You. Tap the Reels icon at the bottom of the Instagram app home page for an endless, scrollable feed of Reels selected by the algorithm.
- Discover tab Reels feature heavily in Explore alongside Instagram Posts and Stories that the Instagram algorithm offers. (Speaking of it: Check out our guide to getting your content on the Explore Instagram page. Guess we’re authoritative too?)
There are many factors that determine when and where the reels appear.
relationships
The Instagram algorithm doesn’t just take into account how you interact with content: it also tracks how you interact with other users. Is someone following you and calling you by your name? Can you message each other or leave comments? Do you tag each other in your posts? If another Insta user is clearly your best friend or superfan, Instagram is more likely to share your latest video with them as soon as it drops.
That said: With Reels and Explore, you’ll likely come across videos from creators you’ve probably never heard of… but if you’ve interacted with them in some way before – those who lurked, put your hands up and proudly – Instagram takes that into account too.
relevance of content
Instagram tracks user proximity – it’s a fancy way of saying “whatchu like.” If you’ve liked or otherwise been interested in a Reel or post in the past, Instagram will take note of the thread or topic and try to offer similar content.
How does artificial intelligence learn what a video is about? Through your Instagram Reels hashtags, but also through analysis of pixels, frames and audio.
TLDR: Watching videos of dogs playing basketball gives birth to more videos of dogs playing basketball. It’s the life cycle at work and it’s a beautiful thing.
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timeliness
The algorithm prioritizes new content over Reels in archives. People want to see what’s new, so so do algorithm gods. Keep those fresh drops coming!
Popularity
If you have an engaged audience and content that consistently gets likes and shares, that shows Instagram that you have something special that other people can like, too.
Sure, it seems like some sort of catch-22 where you have to be popular anyway to be popular. receive It’s popular, but ultimately Instagram is in the business of promoting quality content… so if you already have a reputation for doing great things, the app will reward you. (Could this be the world’s only true meritocracy? windinghere.)
11 tips for working with the Instagram Reels algorithm
All this is a long-winded way of saying that Instagram prioritizes Reels it thinks people will like: new, fun and relevant content. Maybe robots are not so different from us?
Instagram’s Creators account even published a carousel recently confirming this. (Not the “hug our robot brothers” part, but the “fun and relevant” part.)
Let’s break down the key points here, shall we?
Create quality content
When people click on the Reels tab, they expect funny, entertaining and interesting content. This is what the algorithm aims to deliver.
According to Instagram’s @creators, Reels currently has live people sifting through to highlight the best. Creating a “Best” Reel is a long and tedious task, but we have 10 ideas for Instagram Reels to get you started.
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In a nutshell, try your best to make your audience laugh, teach them something cool, or take a surprise spin or challenge and you’re headed in the right direction.
Make your reels visually appealing
The algorithm prefers visually flashy videos. At least shoot vertically and avoid low resolution photos and videos; If you are ready to get creative, test all the features and features of Reels.
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Videos made with the app’s camera effects and filters tend to engage viewers and get an algorithmic boost in the process.
Avoid resharing TikTok
Instagram Reels may have started life as a TikTok dupe, but they don’t care to be reminded of that fact – if you’re reposting watermarked TikTok videos as Reels, you’re going to be bored.
We’re not just speculating here: these are the facts! “Content visibly recycled from other apps (e.g. logos or watermarks) makes the Reels experience less satisfying,” explains a post from the company. “So we’re making this content less discoverable in places like the Reels tab.”
Use the right hashtags
Hashtags are a great source of discovery for creators, especially when it comes to Reels, so be sure to include at least a handful of them in the description of each Reel. For the furthest reach possible, use accurate and descriptive hashtags: If the algorithm can calculate exactly what your photo or post is about, it can be more easily shared with interested people. (Plus, unlike Instagram ads, hashtags are free!)
Instagram Reels can contain up to 30 hashtags, but Instagram’s best practices suggest that 3 to 5 well-chosen hashtags will serve you better. Do your research, explore your niche communities, and use hashtags that truly reflect what your post is about. Learn more with our ultimate guide to Instagram hashtags or browse our list of copy and paste Instagram Reels hashtags here.
Highlight people on your reels
In a recent experiment by Moyens I/O’s social media team to explore the interaction potential of Reels, we found that Reels involving humans perform exceptionally well. And if users like a video, the algorithm will like a video.
Hyper-stylized product shots and illustrations can be fun, but in the end, it’s the faces that really delight Insta viewers.
Use trending music
Use a trending audio clip and the algorithm (or… algorithm should we say) will reward you by spreading your Reel all over the place.
Create content outside of Reals
Stories, posts, guides: The more Insta content you put into the world, the more likely you are to be discovered. After all, we know that the Instagram Reels algorithm tracks your history with other users. If someone is spying on your other Instagram post, that’s a signal for the algorithm to forward your latest Reel to them as well.
Follow Instagram’s advice guidelines
Instagram explains how it decides what and who to recommend in its Recommendation Guidelines: treat this document as your Social Media Orders.
“We work to avoid making recommendations that may be of low quality, objectionable or sensitive, and we also avoid making recommendations that may be inappropriate for younger audiences,” Instagram writes.
For example, content that promotes violence, self-harm, or misinformation will not appear as suggestions in someone’s feed. Be civilized and play by Insta-rules for maximum reach.
Give people what they want
Use analytics to learn more about your audience and deliver relevant content. Instagram Insights allows both Business and Creator accounts to access Reels analytics that include performance metrics like reach, comments, and likes.
…and whenever they want
Because the Instagram Reels algorithm prioritizes recent posts, getting new content is essential when you have the maximum number of followers online. As we learned earlier, gaining high engagement with your own followers is the first step to gaining a place on the Discover page. (Please tell me you took notes!)
Check out our analysis of the best time to post on Instagram for your industry, take a look at your analytics, or use Moyens I/O’s post builder to understand when your audience is online.
Develop an active community
Want to get your reels in front of engaging, engaging “look-alikes” on the Discover page? It starts with engaging your own brand community.
To be clear, we’re not talking about silly shortcuts like joining Instagram posts or buying followers: we’re talking about rolling up your sleeves and starting conversations in comments and DMs.
We know, we know: none of these tips to get the Instagram Reels algorithm working for you are exactly “hacks.” But if you want to build a social brand with meaningful impact, it takes care and effort. The good news is that while you take the time to create the perfect Reel or engage with your perfect audience, a dashboard like Hoostuite can get the job done.
Manage your Instagram presence along with your other social channels and save time using Moyens I/O. You can schedule and publish posts, engage audiences, and measure performance from a single dashboard. Try it for free today.