One more platform, one more post, one more engagement. As social media continues to dominate our lives and become an essential part of every business’s marketing strategy, it’s crucial to stay up-to-date on the latest changes in social media algorithms to maximize the visibility and relevance of your brand.

If you don’t want your brand to be left behind, then understanding the ins-and-outs of each social media platform is necessary—not only to keep up with the competition but also to earn the most engagement and reach possible. 

How can you keep up? Social media algorithms are constantly changing, and staying on top of the latest updates can be challenging. So, instead of wasting time scouring the internet to figure out the current algorithm hacks, we’ve simplified it for you. We have worked with tons of clients from a variety of industries including technology, beauty, healthcare, and retail; and these 5 winning tactics remain the same throughout all industries despite subtle changes to the algorithm. We’ve done the work and gone through the trial and error process so that you don’t have to. These strategies aren’t going out of style anytime soon, and now is the time to start implementing them to boost your brand’s social media presence.

Integrate lots of video content

Video content has been increasingly popular over the past few years. If you’ve ever considered integrating video content into your in-feed posts, now is the time to act. Videos get far more views and engagement than simple photo posts on social media. In fact, they generate 1200% more shares than text and image content combined. After watching the social media algorithm change over the past few years, video is the one consistent thing proven to boost engagement and reach effectively. When it comes to video length, the sweet spot is between 30 seconds to 1 minute to make sure your video grabs the viewer’s attention without risking boredom.

Personalized feeds

Many corporations are reluctant to personalize their news feeds because they will lose control over their brand image, but the proof is in the metrics. Personalizing your feed will drive user engagement, increase brand loyalty, and will ensure your brand stands out from the crowd. When a brand personalizes its social media feed, it shows that the brand cares about its customer’s preferences and interests, creating an emotional connection between the brand and the user.

Now you may ask, what does this mean? This means creating content that resonates with your audience and shows your brand’s personality. Netflix, Nike, Billie, and Spotify are just a few companies that are killing it right now. Because the algorithm now prioritizes content from family and friends, it is crucial to develop that bond with your audience to make sure your content makes it into their feed.

The rise of TikTok

Fun fact: TikTok has over 1 billion users and an average of 2,700 minutes spent on the app each month – and it’s still growing rapidly. It is the 4th largest social media platform in the world by monthly active users. You may discount TikTok as just being a platform for Gen Z dance enthusiasts, but this is no longer the case. Right now, only 18% of marketers are using Tiktok, the rest are missing out.

Don’t believe us? Here are some stats to prove it:

• 55% of TikTok users made a purchase after seeing brands on the application 
• 50% of TikTok users have bought something after watching a TikTok Live 
• Tiktok was the #1 most-downloaded app in 2022

Odds are you’ve heard the names Nectar Hard Seltzer, Fabletics, Milkbar, and Crumbl Cookies recently. These are just some examples of companies that have skyrocketed after utilizing the app, and there are many more like them.

So, if you’re wondering why your social engagement has been so low recently, it’s probably because you’re not utilizing the platform right in front of you. Putting out engaging and personal TikTok content for your target audience will give you a good chance of your company going viral and seeing some mega ROI. This is the time to forget your preconceived notions about TikTok and give it a fair shot, or you might just miss the boat.

Influencer marketing

We know that personalization is a key factor in maintaining a successful marketing year, which is where influencer marketing comes into play. Influencers have a significant following on social media platforms, and their posts can reach a vast audience. They also often have a highly engaged audience, and their followers already trust their opinions, which is why using influencers can be so effective in maximizing your brand’s reach.

Most companies think of influencers as celebrities or profiles with millions of followers, known as macro-influencers. While macro-influencers are great to have, they can tend to come off as very sales-oriented and inauthentic. 

Pay attention to micro-influencers. Micro-influencers can give a more authentic approach, as they’re known for their honest and relatable opinions. They tend to be more accessible and responsive and have a more engaged audience and a stronger relationship with their followers–think deeper rather than wider when it comes to their reach. This is why, as a brand, it’s important to consider working with micro-influencers to more effectively reach your target audiences and build a loyal customer base.

Short but mighty

YouTube’s algorithm is boosting Shorts to users as it offers a new way for creators to share their content. Shorts allows creators to make videos that are under 60 seconds, and they’ve managed to capture the attention of millions of users worldwide. These videos offer another form of short-form content that users are used to seeing on other platforms which is why they’ve become so popular. In fact, YouTube is now discontinuing Stories so they can prioritize Shorts even more than they already have been. So, if your company is a little hesitant to use TikTok for whatever reason, this could be the perfect content type for you. We have seen Shorts work on clients across all industries, and we think it’s absolutely worth it to give them a try.

That’s a wrap

With 4.9 billion users on Social Media, it is crucial to stay up to date with the latest trends. Whether you are a start-up or a Fortune 100 company, these 5 tips will elevate your brand and help you reach your audience where they’re already hanging out, and where your competitors likely are too.

Article sources:

https://sproutsocial.com/insights/tiktok-stats/
https://ojdigitalsolutions.com/importance-of-social-media-for-business/
https://www.houseofmarketers.com/69-tiktok-usage-stats-tiktok-statistics-2023/