FACEBOOK ALGORITHM 2018: HOW TO BEAT IT
So the Facebook algorithm has changed again. No surprises, right? The Facebook algorithm is constantly changing to provide a better experience for its users.
But nothing has sparked as much interest as the "meaningful interactions" update, with Facebook announcing that they're prioritising posts that generate more meaningful interactions, especially those from family and friends.
I know it sounds bad, especially in terms of organic reach, but I've got some tips for how you can thrive on the platform.
How does the Facebook algorithm work?
When a user goes to Facebook there are thousands of potential posts that could be displayed on the news feed.
The algorithm takes these posts and arranges them based on how you will interact with the content. To do this is uses signals that focus on active interactions, such as commenting and sharing.
The top ranking factors in the Facebook algorithm
Commenting
This signal is at the top of the Facebook algorithm. Posts that generate more comments will be shown further up in the news feed.
Just make sure you're not using engagement bait like "comment with YES if you agree", because Facebook will actually demote your posts in the news feed.
Sharing
There are two important ways of sharing on Facebook:
- People sharing links and content within messanger
- Engagement with a published post that is shared by a friend
Facebook is placing emphasis on posts that are shared publicly and privately.
Reacting
This isn't as strong as commenting or sharing but it still remains an active form of engagement that will help to increase your reach.
Reactions are a great way for Facebook to judge the quality of content.
So here are 3 things to include in your Facebook strategy to beat the algorithm:
#1 | Focus on content that connects people
Instead of creating content for your blog or brand that people interact with, focus on creating content for people that generates enough emotion that they want to leave a comment or share it.
To do this, ask yourself these questions about your audience:
- What are their struggles?
- What motivates them?
- What do they care about?
- What content do they interact with?
#2 | Post content that naturally creates meaningful interactions
One of these types of content that you should be using on Facebook is video.
Produced videos already perform better than links and images, and now Facebook Lives perform better than everything.
So if you haven't already, try and find a way of incorporating video into your Facebook strategy.
#3 | Create a community through a Facebook group
Groups are the best way to build an active and engaged community around a certain topic.
Why not something else? Because Facebook groups naturally generate conversation and the algorithm is going to love that.
In a sea of news feed content, Facebook groups give people a more private and personal way to share their thoughts, ideas, and opinions.
It's an exciting time in the world of Facebook and the perfect time to hone in on your strategy. What are you going to do to succeed on Facebook?
Remember to get to grips with the Facebook algorithm so you can get one step closer to a breakthrough.
