because its powered by machine learning, it's constantly adapting and improving based on (your) data
Based on 6 Key Factors: Interest (Post type) Relationship (Interaction History) Timeliness (Publishing recency) Following Usage
what the algorithm wants to show you: show content of things you like, show content of your friends an family,
Increasingly, Instagram wants people to spend time on the app because we enjoy it in a meaningful way, not just because we can’t stop scrolling. Accordingly, the algorithm bumps up posts from accounts that a user already interacts with. For brands and creators, this means that focusing on community engagement is key.
Exchanging DMs, tagging each other in posts, and frequently leaving comments are all actions that indicate a close relationship between accounts. As well as likes, reshares and views.
If users have enjoyed certain types of posts in the past, the algorithm is more likely to show that type of post to them in the future.
For example: if a user interacts with verified or business accounts more, they might be more likely to see posts from that type of account. If they watch a lot of video, same deal.
In other words, people who engage with posts like yours are more likely to see your posts. The algorithm wants to give the people what they want.
Posts that are more recent are more likely to be pushed to the top of people’s feeds. This means that posting when your audience is online is crucial. (More on that below.)
Other factors that will affect an individual Instagram user’s feed include:
Instagram verification means establishing your Instagram account as the “authentic presence of a notable public figure, celebrity, or global brand.” An Instagram verified account gets a verified badge. It’s a blue seal with a little checkmark that appears next to your username. You can apply for Instagram verification with either a personal account or a business account.