How do Social Media Algorithms work?

Social media plays a big role in the internet. In fact, as of 2017, it was the 3rd most viewed website in the world after Facebook, Google, and YouTube. When there are too many users on these platforms, there is a need to create the necessary procedures to keep the linear system alive and the algorithm does this.

Social media algorithms are always changing, making it difficult to keep up with marketing codes of conduct. There's no way to know every detail that goes into every change, but we have a good idea. Your social media expectations will be different depending on the platform you use. The algorithm in the system determines your ranking in social media ads and content placement.

In this guide, you'll understand what an algorithm is, different social media algorithms, and how to optimize your content for social media.

What are Social Media Algorithms?
An algorithm is a mathematical set of rules that determine how a data group behaves. In social media, algorithms help maintain order and help rank search results and ads. For example, there is an algorithm on Facebook that directs you to view pages and content in a certain order.

As of last year, there were approximately 4 billion internet users, and approximately 3 billion of these users were on social media. It takes a great deal of effort to monitor and manage this. For this reason, algorithms are very important in determining the validity and placement of social media accounts and content.

While there are not many algorithms and manuals on how to maintain them, we know that it is enough to move the social media landscape and succeed. One of the big changes seen in the last few years is a user-friendly focus Google has ranked. This encourages social media users to post relevant, high quality content and engage with consumers.

Types of Social Media Algorithms

Social media algorithms vary by platform. Therefore, you can separate them by social media brand. The main platforms are Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. Let's take a look at each of them and how they are currently ranking their users and content.

Facebook

Meaningful customer engagement is key to Facebook's algorithm layout. It was created to concentrate on the importance and display of local, family and friendly posts rather than business posts.

The paid content is ranked separately, but still revolves around engagement, customer response, and relevance to the topic. While user-friendly content is important here, another strategy Facebook algorithm has recently taken up is spam management. In the first three months of 2018, Facebook found and deleted more than 500 million spam accounts.

Pinterest

Even though Pinterest has a very different layout and following strategy, it still counts as a social media platform. The guided search method uses data collected from past content interactions to encourage new connections. For example, if you have viewed wedding hairstyles before, Pinterest is more likely to show you more hairstyles the next time you enter.

The benefit of this interest-themed algorithm is that it always shows Pinterest something that Pinterest loves to its user. This increases the likelihood of the ingredient being consumed and used.

LinkedIn

Recognized as a leader in B2B marketing, LinkedIn is a social platform dedicated to networking rather than to building followers. It is currently the most common platform for Fortune 500 corporate use.

The site has developed an algorithm based on connection and interaction, so strong and relevant content is key to LinkedIn's success. Even if you don't have many links in your network chain, you can create it later if you have content worth reading.

twitter

It is unique in that it ranks Twitter posts not only by user, but by time and date posted. Fresh and updated material ranks higher than daily news. The number of comments the Tweet has also affects its ranking.

Instagram

Instagram is about giving information to as many people as possible in a day. As such, its algorithm focuses on every aspect of social media, from relevance and connectivity to engagement and content popularity.

The rationale behind the Instagram algorithm is to encourage comments, shares, likes, additions, and more posts.

8 Tips to Optimize Your Content for Any Social Media Platform
1. Create Short Videos

We know consumers love to see mixed media in content, but video has proven itself a favorite. Marketers who use video in their advertising campaigns gain 66% more qualified leads each year than those who do not. There are many chances that a short video will be fully consumed during a fast social media, but less time and resources are required to create and publish.

Facebook's live video option, followers

It is the best way to engage with and watch metrics related to your video. After the live portion of the video is finished, it remains viewable, so it is shared among users connected to your profile.

2.Create Content That Invites Engagement

User interaction works in favor of the user to social media browser bots. The more likes, shares and comments your content sees, the more positive it will appear. Publishing content that invites users to interact and interact improves rankings and encourages brand loyalty. Some examples of interactive content:

Company Question and Answer
Live interviews
Follower polls and quizzes
Promotions focused on likes and shares
Photo caption competitions
3.Arousing Humor and Emotion

Whether it's a funny joke or a touching video, evoking emotion humanizes your brand.

Companies that share this with their followers on a deeper level, even just a stupid GIF, are more likely to see repeated comments, likes and posts, which we already see on many social media platforms.

4. Write Back

It sounds like a very simple strategy to work with, but reaching customers in reviews is known to be a successful strategy. On social media, many companies sit back and wait for consumers to come to them. It does not have to be the case, there are almost no companies that are successful in this way. Access, comment, or even share interesting content related to your brand.

It looks good to other customers when they see your engagement and increases your chances of getting your own comments.

5. Report the News

Being aware of your industry news is a sure-fire way to influence social media followers. It brands you as an authority in your field and gives them a reason to look at your page from time to time. For example, if you represent a business in the fashion industry, its followers can take a look at the new Spring line. They will follow your posts in hopes of seeing more of the news they watch to read.

6.Invite Followers

It opens doors to real people and real faces when you post relatable humane content, such as images of management and staff. Take a look at your audience and behind the curtain with the following:

"One day in your life" video
Weekly content rotation by individual employees
Funny photo of the week inside the office
A tour at work
Live demonstrations of products or services
7. Ask What You Want

Sounds simple because it is. Marketers don't have to struggle to get connected. Social media users are called this because they are social. They interact regularly and have a chance to help a brand they use often. When uploading your regular content, ask for tags, likes and shares. Think of this as a typical call to action.

Instead of simply asking your Twitter followers to call you for a free quote, you want them to tag your friends in your posts or share what they see when they like it. This is great behavior for any of the content ideas above.

Profit from Social Media Algorithms
Some social media users see algorithms as threads that tie us to a certain set of rules, but they also create a map for success. It allows you to see the map that will help you overcome opponents and rise to the top.

Whether you use social media for your own marketing needs or represent a customer, these platforms are a huge advantage for traffic and recycling.

Find out how to optimize your content for social media in Social Media Marketing. Consult us today.