Can Brands Really “Beat” the Instagram Algorithm?

In short: not exactly. But yes—they can significantly improve their visibility and reach by aligning closely with how the Instagram algorithm works.

Here’s a breakdown of how this plays out—and what brands should do to make it work.

1. Understanding the Instagram Algorithm

Instagram uses multiple ranking systems (feeds, Stories, Reels, Explore) rather than one monolithic “algorithm”.
Some key signals include:

• How much users engage with your content (likes, comments, shares, saves).

• How recent the content is; timely posts tend to perform better.

• Whether users have a history of interacting with your account.

• The format and type of content (Reels, carousels, a mix) and how the audience responds.

• Originality of content (Instagram increasingly favours content that’s native and unique rather than reposts).

So when people ask “Can brands beat the algorithm?” the more accurate way to look at it is: Can brands align with the ranking signals the algorithm favours—and thereby improve their performance? Yes. Beat = outsmarting the system completely? Not so much.

2. Why Brands Can Succeed

Brands have some inherent advantages:

• They often know their audience, have resources to consistently create content, and can test formats and messaging.

• If they focus on the right signals (engagement, relevance, recency), they can get more favourable treatment from Instagram’s ranking systems.

• By building relationships (comments, DMs, shareable content) they can strengthen those signals of “users care about this account”, which helps boost visibility.

3. What Brands Must Do to Align with Instagram’s Algorithm

Here are actionable strategies for your brand or agency (at Addsnim Digital) to apply:

a) Create highly engaging, original content
Don’t just repost stock images. Think: what will make a viewer stop, comment, save or share? Use stories, behind-the-scenes, user-generated content (UGC).

b) Use the full content mix
Feed posts, carousels, Reels, Stories—all matter. Reels in particular have high reach potential.

c) Focus on “meaningful interactions”
Authentic engagement beats superficial likes. Encourage comments, conversations, DMs. That tells Instagram your content is relevant.

d) Be consistent and timely
Posting regularly (but not annoyingly) helps because the algorithm favours accounts with sustained activity. Also align timing with when your followers are active.

e) Use hashtags & keywords strategically
Though hashtags aren’t the magic they used to be, using relevant and niche hashtags still helps content discovery.

f) Monitor analytics & iterate
Use Instagram’s Insights (or tools) to see what’s working. Then double-down on formats, topics, times that yield good results.

g) Adapt to platform updates
Remember: the algorithm is always evolving. What works today might tweak tomorrow. Staying flexible is key.

4. What Brands Shouldn’t Rely On

• “Posting once and going viral” strategies. While possible, they’re not reliable.

• Trick-or-hack methods promising to “game” the algorithm permanently. What works temporarily may be penalised later.

• Ignoring the audience: Algorithm reward comes only when users react—and react positively—to your content.

• Posting irrelevant content just because you feel you “must”. Quality matters more than quantity.

5. A Realistic Mindset for Brands

• Think of it as working with the algorithm, not against it. The algorithm isn’t the enemy—it’s the mechanism.

• Your goal should be steady growth, stronger engagement, deeper audience relationships—not just one big viral hit.

• If you build habits around listening to your audience, producing creative content, and analysing results—you’ll succeed.

• As your agency (Addsnim Digital) you can position this as a value to your clients: “We don’t promise to beat Instagram once, we promise to align your brand with Instagram’s best-practices and build sustained visibility.”

Conclusion

Yes—brands can significantly improve their performance on Instagram by aligning with how the platform’s ranking systems work. But no—they cannot “beat” the algorithm in the sense of overriding it or getting guaranteed reach without doing the work.

By adopting a strategic, audience-first, analytics-driven approach, your brand (and your clients via Addsnim Digital) can turn the algorithm from a mystery into an advantage.