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Get to Know the Facebook Algorithm

Facebook is the cornerstone of social media marketing for many businesses. Facebook does not make it easy to figure out how their algorithm works, but there are some things you should know about the algorithm if your company relies on Facebook for marketing, as so many do. 

This blog post will go through the ins and outs of Facebook’s algorithm so that no one has to guess anymore!

Define Algorithm

First things first, what is an algorithm?

An algorithm is a set of rules or steps that are to be followed for a computer program to function. Facebook’s algorithm is what the platform uses to determine what appears on your newsfeed. Facebook determines which posts are relevant to you by pre-determining some factors like how long it has been since your friend posted an update, who else likes that post, and if this person tends to upload photos or videos more.

This means Facebook constantly changes its algorithms based on factors like activity, time posted and likes/comments received. This can make it difficult to determine why Facebook isn’t showing your most recent posts on a user’s newsfeed.

Why is the Facebook Algorithm Important?

Why does the Facebook algorithm exist and why do they see it as a benefit? Facebook has to keep its users on Facebook or else they will lose out on money. As Facebook is free to use, the advertising money spent by businesses is what keeps them going.

The Facebook algorithm is designed to show people what it thinks that they want, instead of just showing them the same content over and over again. This leads to a better user experience which benefits Facebook in terms of business and marketing strategies.

Make Friends with the Algorithm

With that said, the Facebook algorithm can be your friend and not your enemy. If you can get your Facebook posts in front of this algorithm, instead of not showing up at all, it will give you more exposure than ever before. Facebook is a great platform for businesses to communicate directly with their audience.

Using Facebook ads as opposed to posting normally can help you optimize your posts and get the most out of the algorithm. Facebook is constantly changing their algorithm to provide the best experience possible for their users. Keep up and you’ll see more of the results you’re looking for.

There are many ways to use the algorithm to your advantage. Facebook is constantly changing the algorithm, so it does take some work to keep up with what people are responding to most. Though there are trends and fluctuations in how this works, there are some fairly consistent methods

What Content Works?

Graphics

In terms of graphic design in your ads, the use of contrasting colors is very important. Facebook often prefers designs that have minimal text so it can show more images instead. The more information you can put into less words on your post the better. Ads and posts with too many words or too much information can drive users away from you. While those with more eye-catching imagery and less information can increase engagement and play nicely with the algorithm.

Working with designers that understand what Facebook likes to see is key to using the algorithm to your advantage. It’s best to focus on Facebook-friendly images that are bright and eye-catching. Backgrounds with minimal colors or patterns work well for this purpose as Facebook often prefers posts without too many words.

Video

One constant is how well video content performs. Video posts show up in Facebook users’ feeds more often than photos as they are interacted with more than still images. Facebook also shows a preference for Facebook Live videos because they are engaging and encourage people to stay on Facebook longer. This leads to more scrolling and more money for Facebook.

Designing a good video for Facebook takes a good eye. Videos perform best on Facebook when they are entertaining, informative, or educational. Facebook’s algorithm will prioritize videos that people enjoy watching the most and are likely to share. This means your video should be bright, simple, and valuable to your clients.

Grab viewers’ attention and lead them to a CTA with professional video designs. Click here to take a look at examples we’ve done in some of the most common design categories we work in.

Dos and Dont’s

What are some of the dos and don’ts of the Facebook algorithm? The algorithm has recently been updated to provide more personalized Facebook feeds. They are not showing posts from all of your connections, but instead the top few stories that will get you most engaged. To stay relevant, there are some things you don’t want to do.

Firstly, don’t use Facebook as a way to spam your message. You shouldn’t try and post too much mediocre content, or else Facebook will think you are not relevant and stop showing it. It is better to have fewer posts but with more engagement than trying to flood Facebook with stale content.

Secondly, Facebook doesn’t want to show you ads from companies that don’t have a Facebook Page. This is a no-brainer for some. That means if your company is not active on Facebook, it will be harder for people to find you and in turn, Facebook won’t advertise your products or services.

Thirdly, the algorithm likes fresh content so update your Facebook regularly with relevant and engaging information. Facebook will show you more often and lead users to your Facebook Page if it is fresh with new content, and the algorithm likes these posts. Test and find your sweet spot of how often you should post.

How Will You Leverage the Algorithm?

Now you know some of the ways to leverage the Facebook algorithm to benefit your business and see more of the results you are looking for. If you can keep up with the changes and utilize well-designed still graphic or video content, you will be able to see more success in Facebook marketing. Keep it fresh and simple and rise above the competition.