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It’s Not About the Social Media Algorithm—It’s About Attention!

Writer's picture: Visabilo DigitalVisabilo Digital

Updated: Oct 15, 2024

When diving into social media marketing for your business, all of the jargon and industry terms can be overwhelming, especially for those just starting to build or maintain their online presence. One term that is often thrown around is “the algorithm.” Many of you may have heard it being the blame for why content is not taking off, or from people claiming to have “Hacked the Algorithm”.



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It’s Not About the Algorithm—It’s About Attention!


So, what’s the deal with social media algorithms?

A social media algorithm is essentially a set of rules and data that decides which content pops up in a user's feed and in what order. Think of it as a digital matchmaker, curating posts it believes a user will engage with to keep them scrolling and glued to their platform.


Each platform has its own unique algorithm designed to deliver a personalized news feed/ for you page packed with content that’s not just entertaining but valuable to you. The ultimate goal? To keep you from switching to a competitor’s platform!


You might be thinking, “Wait, a computer decides if my content gets seen or goes viral?” It’s common in the social media world to blame the algorithm when our posts don’t perform as we hoped. But is that fair?


Here’s the truth: algorithms aren’t the all-powerful gatekeepers they’re made out to be.

Take TikTok, for example. Its algorithm is designed to showcase your content to users it believes will engage with it. To do this TikTok takes your post and analysis it and then shows it to a small audience it thinks will engage with it and find it entertaining/ valuable. 


If your post doesn’t resonate with the initial audience, it is not in TikTok’s interest to push the content to its wider audience as it may result in a user getting bored of the platform and switching apps.


The algorithm’s mission is to keep users engaged by serving them content that matches their interests—whether it’s something funny, relatable, or packed with value!

Think about that TikTok life hack you couldn’t resist sharing with your friends and reposting to your 1000 followers. You have just engaged with that content and effectively said to the algorithm “Hey, I like this content, show it to more people like me” the algorithm is likely to then amplify it to an audience with similar interests as you, while testing other audience segments. 


But what if your content isn’t expanding your reach beyond your current follower count? The answer lies in one crucial factor: attention! 


Sure, you might have the attention of your followers, but what about those who don’t know you yet? Capturing attention is the first step. If your post reads like a dense essay, you can say goodbye to engagement. 


Having a strong “Hook” is the key to success to any content, Written or video based. If your hook is not relatable, Intriguing or valuable, users will not engage. You need to capture their attention, get them hooked (hence the term "the hook") on your content and keep them wanting to know more not only on that post or content, but for your whole account and online brand!


Here are some tips to boost engagement. 

Instead, consider these strategies to create captivating content that draws people in:


  1. Start with a Hook: Grab attention with a bold statement or intriguing question.

  2. Be Concise: Keep it short and sweet. Use visuals, bullet points, or even emojis to break up the text and maintain interest.

  3. Add Value: Share tips, insights, or entertainment that your audience can’t resist.

  4. Encourage Interaction: Ask questions or invite comments to spark conversation.


If you’re not grabbing anyone’s attention, it’s like shouting into a black hole. Remember, every piece of content should have a purpose. Make sure it adds value and resonates with your audience.


In the end, it’s not just about the algorithm; it’s about connecting with your audience and capturing their attention. Create content that speaks to them, and watch your engagement increase.

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