How to Beat the Algorithm and Grow on Instagram & TikTok

If you’ve ever felt like Instagram and TikTok are conspiring against your content, you’re not alone. Both platforms use complex algorithms that determine which posts get pushed to the top—and which get buried. But don’t worry, beating the algorithm isn’t about hacking the system; it’s about understanding how it works and using it to your advantage. Here’s how you can master Instagram and TikTok to boost your reach, engagement, and growth.

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How To Grow Your following On Instagram and Tik Tok:

1. Post Consistently (But Strategically)

Gone are the days of random posting. The algorithm favors creators who post consistently—think at least 3-5 times a week. On TikTok, daily posts can supercharge growth. However, quality trumps quantity, so don’t post just for the sake of it. Instead, focus on high-value content that resonates with your audience.

To maximize consistency without burning out, plan your content in advance using a content calendar. Batch-create videos and photos so you always have something ready to post, and experiment with different formats—like carousel posts on Instagram or storytelling-style TikToks—to keep your feed fresh and engaging. Find a posting schedule that aligns with your audience’s activity patterns, ensuring your content reaches them when they’re most active.

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2. Prioritize Engagement

Both platforms reward engagement—likes, comments, shares, and saves signal to the algorithm that your content is worth pushing out. The more people interact with your content, the more the algorithm favors it, increasing the chances of it appearing on more feeds and For You Pages (FYPs). Encouraging engagement is not just about gaining likes; it’s about fostering an active and loyal community. Here’s how you can boost engagement:

• Ask questions in your captions – Make your audience feel included in the conversation by prompting them to share their thoughts, opinions, or experiences.

• Use polls, quizzes, and stickers in Instagram Stories – Interactive story features like “Ask me a question,” “This or That,” and polls make it easy for followers to engage with minimal effort.

• Prompt comments with strong calls-to-action (CTAs) – End your captions with direct CTAs like “Tag a friend who needs to see this!” or “Drop an emoji if you relate!” to encourage responses.

• Reply to comments and DMs quickly to build community – Responding to your audience fosters a deeper connection and increases the likelihood that they’ll continue engaging with your content in the future. The algorithm also favors posts with active discussions, so don’t just like comments—engage with them meaningfully.

• Encourage shares and saves – Remind your audience to save posts they find valuable (such as tutorials, tips, or aesthetic inspiration) and share them with friends. Saves and shares are major indicators of high-value content to the algorithm.

• Go live regularly – Instagram Live and TikTok Live allow for real-time interaction, boosting engagement rates significantly. The more people comment and engage during your live session, the higher your content ranks in feeds.

• Collaborate with other creators – Engaging with other influencers in your niche by commenting on their posts, doing collabs, or featuring their content in duets and stitches can drive engagement on your own content as well.

The key to prioritizing engagement is making your audience feel seen, heard, and valued. When people feel connected to your brand, they’re more likely to interact with your content consistently, helping you stay in favor with the algorithm.

3. Use Trending Sounds and Hashtags

"When you use a popular sound, your video has a higher chance of being included in the trending pool, making it discoverable to a much larger audience".

On TikTok, using trending audio can skyrocket your visibility. Check the “Trending” tab for viral sounds and incorporate them into your videos. Similarly, on Instagram, using trending Reels audio can boost your reach. When you use a popular sound, your video has a higher chance of being included in the trending pool, making it discoverable to a much larger audience. If you're unsure which sounds are trending, spend a few minutes browsing TikTok’s “For You Page” or Instagram’s Reels feed daily. Beyond trending sounds, using original audio can also be a growth hack. If you create a unique or catchy sound and it gains traction, other creators may start using it, giving your profile more exposure.

Hashtags are also key. They help categorize your content and make it more discoverable. Use a mix of:

• Popular hashtags to tap into large, trending conversations (e.g., #FYP, #viralvideo)

• Niche hashtags that are specific to your content and audience (e.g., #minimalistfashion, #skincare101)

• Branded hashtags if you want to create a recognizable tag for your community or challenge

On Instagram, aim for 3-5 targeted hashtags per post, while on TikTok, experimenting with more can be beneficial. However, avoid overloading your captions with too many hashtags, as this can look spammy. Instead, prioritize relevance and test different combinations to see what works best for your content.

4. Hook Viewers in the First 3 Seconds

Short attention spans mean you need to grab attention fast. The first three seconds of your video determine whether someone will continue watching or scroll away. Start your videos with an intriguing question, a bold statement, or eye-catching movement to immediately capture interest.

Here are some effective strategies to hook viewers:

• Jump right into the action – Avoid long intros; show something compelling right away.

• Use text overlays – Display a question or a powerful phrase on the screen to make viewers curious.

• Surprise or challenge the audience – Statements like “You’ve been doing this wrong your whole life!” create instant intrigue.

• Use fast cuts and dynamic visuals – High-energy edits keep people engaged.

• Leverage curiosity gaps – Say something that makes viewers need to know what happens next, like “Wait until you see the end result!”

The longer people watch, the better the algorithm ranks your content. Retaining viewers for as much of your video as possible increases its chances of being recommended to more users.

5. Leverage Instagram Reels and TikTok Trends

Video content reigns supreme, and both platforms heavily push short-form videos. Create engaging, relatable, or educational Reels and TikToks that align with current trends. Jumping on trends early increases the likelihood of going viral.

• Stay updated on trends – Spend time scrolling through the Reels and TikTok For You Page (FYP) daily to spot emerging trends before they peak.

• Adapt trends to your niche – Don’t just copy trends—put your unique spin on them to make them relevant to your audience.

• Combine multiple trends – Experiment with layering a trending sound with a popular challenge or editing style to maximize engagement.

• Use trending templates and effects – TikTok and Instagram frequently introduce new templates, effects, and filters that can boost visibility when used.

• Create evergreen content with a trending twist – If a trend aligns with your usual content, find a way to make it useful or informative while still entertaining.

Jumping on trends while maintaining authenticity and originality ensures that your content remains fresh, engaging, and algorithm-friendly.

6. Post at Peak Times

"Posting around the same time regularly trains your audience to expect and engage with your content, helping you build stronger reach over time"

Timing matters. Even the best content can get buried if it’s posted when your audience isn’t online. Analyze your platform insights to determine when your followers are most active and schedule your posts around those peak hours.

Generally speaking:

• Instagram: 9 AM – 12 PM and 6 PM – 9 PM

• TikTok: 6 AM – 10 AM and 7 PM – 11 PM

However, every audience is different. Use Instagram Insights and TikTok Analytics to monitor when your specific audience is most engaged. Post testing is also valuable—try sharing content at different times of day and track which time slots result in higher views, likes, and shares.

Don’t forget about time zones. If your audience is global, consider staggering posts or scheduling them based on the regions where most of your followers live. Posting just before peak times can also help your content build momentum as people start coming online. Consistency also plays a role here. Posting around the same time regularly trains your audience to expect and engage with your content, helping you build stronger reach over time.

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Growing on Instagram and TikTok isn’t about chasing virality—it’s about creating content that your audience genuinely wants to see, while staying smart about how and when you post. Focus on building a real connection with your followers, leveraging the tools and trends available to you, and keeping a pulse on what’s working. The algorithm isn’t your enemy—it’s just a system. Learn it, play with it, and most importantly, stay authentic. That’s the real secret to long-term growth.