Instagram Head Explains Instagram’s Algorithm to Rank Your Content

In an ever-evolving digital landscape, creating content that resonates and reaches a wide audience is paramount. Recently, Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, shared valuable insights in an Instagram Reel about a significant factor that influences the platform’s ranking algorithm: sends per reach.

This crucial metric evaluates how often a post is shared via direct messages relative to its total viewership. Mosseri emphasized the importance of crafting content that encourages people to share it directly with their close friends and family, as this can notably enhance your post’s visibility over time.

By understanding this key element of Instagram’s algorithm, you can strategically improve your content’s reach and engagement, unlocking new opportunities for connection and growth on the platform.

1 Instagram’s Ranking Signal – “Sends Per Reach”

Here’s what he said in the new Instagram reel;

• Sends per Reach: Adam Mosseri mentions that one of the most significant signals for ranking content on Instagram is ‘sends per reach.’ This metric tracks how many people send your post as a direct message compared to the total number of viewers.
• Encourages Creativity: The aim is to foster an environment where creativity thrives, but more importantly, where this creativity can bring people together. Instagram wants to be more than just a platform for passive content consumption.
• Building Connections: Mosseri underscores the platform’s goal to help users discover content that they feel compelled to share with friends and family, thereby fostering deeper connections.
• Examples of Shareable Content: He suggests that successful content could be anything from a hilarious reel that you want to share with your siblings to an impressive soccer highlight you’d send to fellow fans.
• Natural Engagement: Creators are encouraged not to force this sharing behavior. Instead, they should aim to create content that naturally resonates with people, prompting them to share it because it evokes a personal connection or reaction.
• Platform Vision: This focus on sends as a ranking signal reflects Instagram’s broader vision of evolving into a place where shared experiences and personal connections between users are paramount.

2 How to Leverage The Advice for your Next Instagram Marketing Campaign

• Create Shareworthy Content: Focus on producing content that naturally resonates with your audience. Whether it’s a touching story, a funny meme, or an educational video, aim for authenticity and relevance.
• Avoid Gaming the System: While it’s important to encourage sharing, don’t resort to artificial strategies to inflate engagement. Genuine interactions will always have a more lasting impact.
• Prompt Sharing Wisely: Encourage your followers to share content with friends and family through calls to action that feel organic. You might add subtle prompts like “Send this to someone who needs to see this” or “Share with a friend who would love this.
• Experiment with Variety: Use this as an opportunity to try new content formats and styles. Diverse content can attract different types of engagement and ultimately increase your post’s reach.
• Monitor Engagement Metrics: Keep an eye on your ‘sends per reach’ metrics and analyze which types of content are being shared the most. This data can guide your future content strategy.
• Build Personal Connections: Create content that builds a sense of community among your followers. Posts that inspire, entertain, or educate are more likely to be shared, fostering stronger connections and deeper engagement.
• Revitalizing Declining Reach: If you’ve noticed a drop in your reach, focusing on shareable content could be the key to turning things around. This shift in strategy can help you regain visibility and engagement on the platform.

By adopting these tactics, you can align your Instagram efforts with the platform’s evolving algorithms and boost your reach and impact. Embrace this as a chance to innovate and connect more deeply with your audience.