In this article we discuss the main differences regarding social network algorithm.
Let’s analyze what the different types of content are for each channel.
What actions can be taken and what are the main factors that each algorithm takes into account whenever content is searched for on the major social networks.
Social network algorithm. What it is and how it works!
Social network algorithms are that set of factors that decide which posts to show and to which people.
They thus decree the success or failure of a social media strategy. The data that make up social algorithms are constantly evolving and updating.
Considering algorithms when developing a marketing strategy is critical because it allows you to optimize the visibility of your content.
It also enables you to reach your target audience (buyer persona) effectively.
Facebook Algorithm
Facebook, since its inception, has recorded several changes in its algorithm.
As a result of the crowded nature of the platform, which is also often caused by the publication of low-value content, the world’s most widely used social network (about 2 billion daily active users) has made a U-turn, deciding to emphasize people rather than companies.
What does this mean? It simply means that, all brands on the platform are “forced” to invest in advertising in order to gain more visibility.
Facebook makes money from ads, then from the investments of the various brands that decide to use it to promote themselves and reach a wider audience.
If you are wondering if it still makes sense to use Facebook for your business, the answer is yes.
As we said, social network algorithms are important because they determine which posts to show and to which people.
This means that they directly influence the success or failure of your social media strategy.
For example, understanding Facebook’s algorithm helps you understand how to get more organic visibility and when you need to invest in advertising.
Instagram algorithm
Instagram, in a recent press release, unveiled theexact workings of its algorithm.
If at the time of its inception, the photo social network showed posts published in chronological order, as of today we find ourselves with a feed based on relevance.
According to Instagram data, before this algorithm change, users were unable to see 70 percent of all posts and 50 percent of those posted by friends.
Data in hand, the change has been shown to cause platform members to see 90 percent of their friends’ posts, as well as those of the companies they follow.
Let us now look at how the algorithm has changed and what factors contribute to the viewing of posts by “followers” on Instagram, which can be summarized as:
- interest
- recency
- report
It all starts with Instagram’s prediction of the potential engagement of a posted content.
This is done throughartificial intelligence, which can understand similar content that individual users have liked in the past, which is why we talk about interest.
Another fundamental is recency, or the timing with which a video or photo post is published.
Although of less importance than in the past, the time factor is still one of the ingredients that make up the new algorithm.
Last but certainly not least, relationships count on Instagram.
Artificial intelligence checks the relationship between users, choosing to show the posts of the closest people, calculating the interactions between them.
These three criteria are then joined by other minor factors such as frequency of access to the app, number of people followed, and even length of sessions.
LinkedIn Algorithm
On LinkedIn, content is much longer-lived than on Facebook. This is precisely because its algorithm is designed to show all those posts that may be of interest to a user.
In short, the better care you take of your LinkedIn profile and in your relationships, the more likely you are to get high engagement over time.
LinkedIn’s algorithm takes several factors into account to determine what content to show users. Some of the main features of LinkedIn’s algorithm include:
- History of posted content: The algorithm takes into account the frequency and quality of content a user posts on their profile.
The more relevant and valuable content a user posts, the more likely their content will be shown to other users. - Strength of connections: The algorithm also considers the strength of connections between a user and people in their professional network.
If a user has many strong connections and regularly interacts with them, their content is more likely to be shown to the user. - User interactions: The algorithm takes into account users’ interactions with content.
If a user regularly interacts with another user’s content (e.g., by commenting or sharing), that user’s content is more likely to be shown to the user. - Content relevance: The algorithm tries to show users the most relevant content based on their interests and preferences.
It uses artificial intelligence to analyze content that a user has interacted with in the past and tries to show similar content that might interest the user. - User feedback: The algorithm also takes user feedback into account.
If a user reports content as spam or inappropriate, the algorithm may reduce the visibility of that content.
These are just some of the features of LinkedIn’s algorithm. It is important to note that LinkedIn’s algorithm may evolve over time and changes may be made to improve the user experience.
Algorithm of X (formerly Twitter)
Twitter ‘s algorithm was introduced to improve users’ experience by showing them the most relevant and interesting tweets. Some of the main features of Twitter’s algorithm include:
- Relevance: Twitter’s algorithm tries to show users the most relevant tweets based on their interests and preferences.
It uses artificial intelligence to analyze tweets that a user has interacted with in the past and tries to show similar tweets that might interest the user. - Popularity: The algorithm also takes into account the popularity of tweets.
If a tweet is receiving many interactions, such as retweets, likes, and comments, it is more likely to be shown to other users. - Recency: Although Twitter’s algorithm takes into account the relevance and popularity of tweets, the time factor is still important.
More recent tweets are more likely to be shown to users. - User interactions: The algorithm takes into account users’ interactions with tweets.
If a user regularly interacts with another user’s tweets (e.g., by retweeting or replying), that user’s tweets are more likely to be shown to the user. - Connections: The algorithm also considers connections between users. If a user follows another user and regularly interacts with his or her tweets, that user’s tweets are more likely to be shown to the user.
It is important to note that Twitter’s algorithm may evolve over time and changes may be made to improve the user experience.
TikTok Algorithm
TikTok’s algorithm is designed to show users relevant and engaging content. Here are some key features of TikTok’s algorithm:
- Personalized recommendations: TikTok’s algorithm analyzes user behavior, such as the videos they watch, like, and share, to create a personalized feed.
Takes into account factors such as user preferences, interests, and previous interactions to recommend videos that are likely to interest the user. - For You Page: The For You Page (FYP) is TikTok’s main feed, where users discover new content.
The algorithm selects videos from a wide range of creators and presents them to users based on their preferences. FYP is designed to provide a diverse and engaging content experience. - Engagement metrics: TikTok’s algorithm considers several engagement metrics, such as likes, comments, shares, and video completion rate, to determine the popularity and relevance of a video.
Videos that receive high engagement are more likely to be shown to a wider audience. - Challenges and trending hashtags: TikTok’s algorithm also takes into account the popularity of challenges and trending hashtags.
It identifies videos that participate in popular challenges or use trending hashtags and promotes them to a wider audience. - Diversified content: TikTok’s algorithm aims to provide a diverse range of content to users.
It ensures that users are exposed to different types of videos, creators, and topics, promoting inclusivity and discovery.
It is important to note that TikTok’s algorithm is constantly evolving and being updated to improve the user experience.
The platform regularly introduces new features and changes to ensure that users are presented with the most relevant and engaging content.
YouTube Algorithm
YouTube ‘s algorithm is a complex system that determines which videos are shown to users on the platform.
The main goal of YouTube’s algorithm is to provide users with relevant and interesting content that keeps them engaged on the platform.
Here are some of the factors YouTube ‘s algorithm considers when determining which videos to show users:
- Relevance: YouTube’s algorithm analyzes the title, description, and tags of videos to understand what the content is about.
It tries to show users videos that are relevant to their interests and preferences. - Engagement: YouTube’s algorithm takes into account users’ interaction with videos.
If a video receives many likes, comments, shares, and views, it is more likely to be regarded as high-quality content and be shown to a wider audience. - Viewing time: YouTube’s algorithm also considers the viewing time of videos.
If a video is viewed for a long time, it means that it is holding users’ attention and could be considered as quality content. - Viewing history: YouTube’s algorithm tracks users’ viewing history.
If a user has viewed and enjoyed similar videos in the past, the algorithm may suggest other videos of the same genre. - Trends and popularity: YouTube’s algorithm also takes into account trends and popularity of videos.
If a video is going viral or is very popular among users, it might be shown to a wider audience.
It is important to note that YouTube’s algorithm is subject to regular changes and updates to improve the user experience and ensure the quality of the content shown.
Pinterest Algorithm
Pinterest ‘s algorithm is designed to show users relevant and interesting content based on their interests and preferences. Here are some of the main features of the Pinterest algorithm:
- Relevance: Pinterest’s algorithm analyzes content that a user has interacted with in the past, such as Pins they have saved, boards they have created, and searches they have done.
Using this information, the algorithm tries to show similar content that might interest the user. - Quality of content: Pinterest’s algorithm takes into account the quality of content. It seeks to show original, authentic, high-quality content that offers value to users.
Pins with high-quality images, informative descriptions, and relevant links are more likely to be shown to users. - Popularity: Pinterest’s algorithm also considers the popularity of Pins. If a Pin is receiving many interactions, such as saves, shares, and clicks, it is more likely to be shown to a wider audience.
- Content diversity: Pinterest’s algorithm tries to provide a variety of content to users.
Try to avoid showing too many similar Pins consecutively and try to present a diverse range of topics and styles. - Time factors: Although relevance and quality of content are important, Pinterest’s algorithm also takes into account the time factor.
Newer Pins are more likely to be shown to users. - User feedback: Pinterest’s algorithm also takes user feedback into account.
If a user reports a Pin as spam or inappropriate, the algorithm may reduce the visibility of that Pin.
It is important to note that Pinterest ‘s algorithm is subject to changes and updates to improve the user experience and ensure the quality of the content displayed.
Basically, we can say that considering the differences between the algorithms of the major social networks helps you maximize the effectiveness of your marketing strategy and achieve better results.