What is the Facebook algorithm?

What is the Facebook algorithm? It is the deciding factor that shows you the posts you see, and the order they show up in your newsfeed. Built from “multiple layers of machine learning models and rankings” the Facebook algorithm evaluates every post, scores it, and arranges it in order of interest. To earn more organic reach, the algorithm will score content that has the most engagement. Here are some of the top ways you can expand your reach through engagement.

1. Build connections with your audience. The Facebook algorithm prioritizes posts from pages that a user has interacted with in the past. So write to your audience, make them feel heard and acknowledge that you are listening.

2. Go live! Live video receives 6x more engagement than regular video.

3. Run a Facebook Group. As a second channel to reach your audience through, the Facebook algorithm prioritizes posts from Groups users care about.

4. Use Facebook Stories! 58% of people say they’ve visited a brand’s website for more information after watching a story (Hootsuite, para 23). Facebook stories aren’t part of the news feed and do not operate using the algorithm.

5. Post when your audience is online. Newest posts go to the top of user’s news feed, so recency is everything when reaching your audience.