The 3 Rules to Understanding Social Media Algorithms
Would you install the outlets in your home if you didn’t understand how electricity works? Would you replace the transmission in your car if you did not know its mechanics? You likely answered no to both questions because you know mistakes can be costly. Yet millions of businesses post on social media without understanding how it works, risking a blemish to their reputation and potential loss of customers.
Learning social media helps businesses grow their audience, reach the right people, and turn views into engagement. By following three simple rules, businesses can create content with purpose instead of posting blindly.
Rule 1: Post Content to Satisfy the Needs of Your Audience
Early online spaces like blogs, message boards, and forums helped shape social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Friendster. (Maryville University). Later, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok became popular for connecting people with friends, family, and communities.
Features like groups, pages, and algorithms help show users content they are most likely to enjoy. Every post, photo, video, or blog shared online is matched with people who may engage with it. If businesses want to reach customers online, they should create content that meets their audience’s needs.
Rule 2: Engagement is Queen
Mari Smith, a social media marketer often referred to as “the Queen of Facebook”, is famously quoted for saying:
“Content is king, but engagement is Queen, and she rules the house!” - Mari Smith
When people interact with a post, social media platforms are more likely to promote it to others. Posts with strong engagement are shown not only to followers and friends, but also to people with similar interests.
Rule 3: Get the Timing Right
The final rule is likely the most pivotal rule to follow, post content at the most opportune time. An engaging and satisfactory social media post can fall short if it is not published at a time when people are likely to engage. Typically, you will see the majority of success on a social media post within 4-48 hours after posting. For these reasons, many social media publishing platforms, such as Hootsuite, encourage early-morning posts. Other factors may also play into the timing of your posts, such as cultural/political events, trends and memes going viral, and holidays or events being celebrated.
How To Improve Your Social Media Content
If your business needs better social media content, Inter-Connected Marketing is ready to help. We offer social media content creation, data analytics, and video advertising services. Our team understands platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X and creates custom content designed for your brand. Contact us today to learn more about our social media services.
Other Resources
Maryville University: The Evolution of Social Media: How Did It Begin, and Where Could It Go Next?
Mari Smith: The Human-First Marketing Method
Hootsuite: Best Time to Post on Social Media in 2025 (By Platform)