Algorithms are a true case of love and hate for everyone who creates content on the internet and wants engagement and an audience.
You may have already wondered why some people get millions of likes and others barely get anyone to see them. Well, it’s all thanks to algorithms.
They control visibility on social media, search engines and content recommendation systems, meaning understanding them is essential for anyone who wants to be noticed on the internet, and that’s what we’re going to talk about in this article.
What is an algorithm?
An algorithm is a sequence of well-defined and organized instructions to solve a problem or perform a specific task.
Explaining it in a simpler way, an algorithm is like a cake recipe, it teaches you the right order to mix the ingredients until you put the cake in the oven, so that everything works out.
These invisible engines power much of the digital world, driving everything from the search results you receive to what appears in your social media feed. Its applications include:
- Search engines (Google and others)
- Encryption and data security
- Machine Learning and AI
- Route optimization (GPS directions)
Notice that these sets of rules determine what we consume on the internet and, consequently, the decisions we make.
As our dependence on technology increases, understanding how algorithms work becomes increasingly important.
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Why should content creators care about algorithms?
As we explained previously, algorithms are crucial on the Internet because they guide the way information is organized, processed and delivered.
Any business or person who wants to stand out online relies primarily on search engines. Google must consider your content relevant to the search made by the user (your target audience) and, more importantly, better than the competition, so that your page appears among the first results.
Search engines use algorithms to sort and display relevant results, while social media platforms rely on them to personalize content feeds.
In this way, understanding algorithms can significantly impact a creator’s ability to reach and engage their target audience. Understand better:
Visibility and Reach
Algorithms control content visibility. For example, platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok use these tools to decide which posts appear in users’ feeds or recommendations.
By aligning their content strategies with these algorithms – such as keyword optimization, engagement or watch time – creators increase their chances of being prioritized and reaching a larger audience.
Engagement and Growth
Algorithms favor content that generates the most engagement, such as likes, shares, comments and viewing duration.
With this in mind, creators should design their content to encourage interaction, building a loyal and engaged community.
Competitiveness
In an environment where millions of people and brands compete for attention, ignoring the engines that determine what is seen is the same as condemning your content to limbo.
When you keep up with changes and trends in algorithms, you can adapt your strategies to maintain relevance and stay ahead of the competition.
Monetization Opportunities
For many platforms, algorithmic performance directly influences monetization. For example, YouTube’s algorithm rewards creators who keep people watching their videos longer.
Likewise, on e-commerce platforms, algorithms promote products or content that convert well, directly impacting sales.
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How the algorithms of the main social media behave
Professionals who work online and have their income directly linked to the audience they reach, such as online course creators, must be aware of the platforms they use to promote their services/products.
Next, let’s see how the main social media algorithms work and what guidelines you should follow to get your content noticed.
YouTube Algorithms
Second most accessed platform in the world, behind only Google, YouTube is a powerful advertising channel, with many creators finding success and good financial reward by creating videos for their pages on the site.
YouTube uses a variety of algorithms to select, recommend and rate content. They are tailored to maximize user engagement.
Due to its importance, let’s understand in more detail how each one works:
Recommendation algorithm
Suggests videos on the home page and in the “Upcoming” section. For that:
- Considers the user’s watch history, search history and interactions (likes, shares, comments).
- Prioritizes videos similar to those the user has already liked.
- Takes into account trending topics and videos with high engagement metrics.
Search algorithm
Ranks videos in search results when users search for specific keywords.
- Matches the user’s query to the Video titles, descriptions and tags.
- It gives weight to keywords and metadata, but also evaluates engagement metrics (click-through rate, watch time, etc.).
- Prioritizes relevance, updating and video quality (resolution, production, editing).
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Trending Algorithm
Highlights popular and viral videos in the “Trending” section.
- Identifies videos that get a large number of views in a short time.
- Balances general popularity with local and global interest.
- It takes into account the diversity of creators and avoids repetitive themes.
Notification Algorithm
Decides which users will receive notifications about new uploads.
- Prioritizes users who frequently interact with a creator’s channel.
- Sends notifications only to subscribers who have activated the channel notification bell.
- Factors in user preferences and previous interactions with notifications.
Ad Algorithm and Monetization
Determine the ad placements and suitability for monetization.
- Evaluates videos for advertiser-friendly content (e.g. language, themes).
- Uses signals like watch time, engagement, and audience demographics to match videos with the most relevant ads.
- Videos with higher engagement or longer watch durations can attract higher advertising revenue.
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Shorts Algorithm
Promote short vertical videos in the “Shorts” feed.
- Focuses on immediate engagement (likes, shares, and watch time per video).
- Recommends based on user interaction patterns with similar short videos.
- Prioritizes new, high-energy content that captures attention quickly.
As you can see, when we talk about algorithms, we are talking about hundreds of tools with specific objectives.
For creators, aligning content with these algorithms means increasing visibility, engagement, and revenue.
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Instagram Algorithms
The Instagram algorithm was designed to prioritize content that maximizes engagement and keep users active on the platform.
It classifies posts in a user’s feed based on factors such as past interactions, when the post was made (how recent it is), and the type of content the user most frequently engages with (photos, videos, or stories).
In the case of Stories, the algorithm favors accounts that the user frequently views or interacts with.
When it comes to Reels, it focuses on suggesting content similar to the user’s previous interests and trending content with high engagement.
The Explore page is powered by a separate recommendation system that surfaces new content based on user activity, ensuring variety and discovery.
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TikTok Algorithms
TikTok’s algorithm is one of the most advanced for delivering personalized content, largely driven by its “For You” page.
It analyzes user behavior in real time, including how long they watch a video, whether they interact, and their preferences for specific creators or topics.
TikTok also uses video metadata like hashtags, captions, and audio tracks to match users with videos they are likely to like.
It is important to highlight that the algorithm incorporates a certain degree of randomness, occasionally showing new or diverse content to broaden the user’s interests.
This rapid feedback loop makes recommendations from this social network highly addictive and ensures that creators with engaging content can quickly gain visibility and followers, even without a large initial audience.
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LinkedIn Algorithms
LinkedIn algorithms emphasize professional networking and the relevance of the content.
Posts are ranked based on factors such as the strength of the user’s network, the type of content (e.g. articles, polls, or updates), and the relevance of the topic to the user’s interests and professional field.
Early engagement with a post plays a crucial role; the algorithm boosts posts that receive likes, comments or shares shortly after they are published.
LinkedIn also prioritizes content that promotes meaningful conversations, such as posts with questions or thoughtful insights.
For job postings and recommendations, the network uses algorithms to match users with opportunities based on their skills, experience and activity on the platform.
To focus on professional connections and sector relevance differentiates LinkedIn from other social platforms, making it very interesting for those who want to sell professional online courses.
Strategies for creating algorithm-friendly content
Here are some effective strategies to help you get the attention of algorithms and gain more visibility.
1. Understand each platform’s priorities
Research how each platform’s algorithms work.
As we explained above, each website and social network has its own guidelines for what it considers important and worth showing to its users.
YouTube values watch time, TikTok prioritizes engagement and retention, and Instagram focuses on relationships. So, study this information and create focused content.
2. Optimize for engagement
Engagement is a decisive factor for any platform.
Encourage likes, comments, shares, subscriptions and saves on your content.
Provide useful information, ask engaging questions, imprint your unique personality on your posts, include calls to action (e.g. “What do you think? Comment below!”), be creative and spark people’s genuine interest.
3. Use relevant keywords and tags
Incorporate popular and relevant keywords into titles, captions, hashtags, and descriptions to improve discoverability.
This is a basic SEO rule and is used for all content produced and published on the internet.
Don’t underestimate Hashtags! Research the most popular ones and include them in the captions of your publications. Remember, search engines can only read words, take advantage of every one you can.
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4. Focus on consistency and quality
Constancy is the key! Publish regularly, algorithms tend to favor accounts that consistently produce new content.
To gain attention and make your content richer and more complete, use attractive visuals, clear audio and an engaging narrative.
On video platforms, hook your audience within the first few seconds to reduce drop-off rates.
5. Take advantage of trends
You’ve probably already noticed that the internet is made up of fads. Every day there’s a new meme, dance, funny audio that goes viral.
Take advantage of this to make your content seen, adapting the subject you cover to current trends.
Take part in challenges, use popular audio tracks and create content about current events or viral topics.
6. Engage with your audience
To have regular engagement, you need to create a relationship with your audience.
Respond to comments, acknowledge followers, and interact with other creators’ content to increase visibility and build connections.
Become part of their daily lives, so they remember you, look for your posts and want to interact.
7. Experiment with formats
The attention span on the internet is very short and the competition is high, so be careful not to fall into the same old trap.
Use various types of content, such as photos, stories, longer videos, polls, and see what performs best.
The internet offers many possibilities for you to stand out, you just need to dedicate yourself and be creative.
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8. Monitor analytics and adapt
Use the performance data made available by platforms to keep track of what works and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Metrics like watch time, click-through rates, and engagement patterns reveal what is aligned with the algorithms.
Post content when your audience is most active to increase immediate engagement, a key factor for many algorithms.
What does the future hold regarding algorithms in content creation?
The future of algorithms in content creation will likely involve increasing sophistication and personalization.
As artificial intelligence advances, algorithms will become more adept at understanding users’ preferences, behaviors and contexts.
This means that the creators will need to focus even more on producing personalized content that impacts their target audience.
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There is also a strong trend in the area of real-time data analysis and predictive analytics.
Platforms will use these technologies to anticipate what users want before actively searching for it, making content discovery easier.
For creators, this can mean adapting to faster content cycles and leveraging emerging trends in near real-time to stay competitive.
Another trend refers to the greater user control over what they receive, making it essential for creators to build genuine connections and communities.
Keep an eye on these trends so you don’t miss any opportunities to boost your online business.
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