Instagram’s Algorithm in 2025: How to Stay Ahead of the Changes

Dudi Rali
April 5th, 2025
15 minutes Read Time
Instagram’s Algorithm in 2025: How to Stay Ahead of the Changes

Did you know, there are 169 million users of Instagram in the United States, which highlights the significance of the platform among people. However, with constant change in Instagram algorithm, you might feel overwhelmed especially when you are a small business owner and you are unable to reach your target audience.

What should you do in that case? Well, it might sound intimidating at first but it's simple. You just have to stay ahead of the Instagram algorithm. This blog brings you the cheat sheet for you to bring your Instagram back into the public's eye just with a few tips. So don't waste time in thinking, and start reading!

How Does the Instagram Algorithm Actually Work?

We all use Instagram, but do you ever wonder how it decides what pops up in your feed? Well, that’s all thanks to Instagram’s algorithm. Whether you’re trying to grow your personal profile, a brand, or just want to get more people to see your posts, understanding how this algorithm works is crucial.

Instagram’s algorithm is like a personal assistant that organizes your feed. It looks at a few things to figure out what to show you, like how much engagement a post gets, how recent it is, and how connected you are to the person posting it. Basically, Instagram wants to show you stuff that’s most likely to get you to double-tap or comment.

But here's the thing: Instagram has different algorithms for the main feed, Stories, Explore page, and Reels. So it’s not just one set of rules, each part of the platform has its own way of deciding what gets shown.

What’s New with Instagram in 2025?

If you think the algorithm is always the same, think again. Instagram is always changing things up, and in 2025, there are a few big updates to keep an eye on. Here’s what’s happening:

1. Creativity and Connection Are the Priority

Instagram's head honcho, Adam Mosseri, said that in 2025, Instagram’s all about creativity and connection. What does that mean for you? Well, the algorithm is going to start rewarding content that’s fresh, original, and truly creative. So, if you’ve been sitting on some cool ideas, now’s the time to let them loose!

2. Shares Are Going to Matter More

One big change coming in 2025 is that Instagram is focusing more on sharing. People share content through DMs all the time, so now, that’s going to play a bigger role in the algorithm. 

The more your content gets shared, the more likely it is to show up in others’ feeds. So, make sure you create shareable content, stuff people want to send to their friends.

3. Trial Reels

Here’s a fun one: Instagram’s introduced something called Trial Reels. This lets you post a Reel, but only people who don’t follow you can see it. It’s like a test run to see if your content has the potential to go viral before you even share it with your followers. 

It’s a pretty cool way to gauge how your content will perform. You can do that using various AI tools like AgGPT for generating ads that will ultimately bring on more traffic to your page.

4. Reset Your Feed

Tired of seeing the same stuff over and over? Instagram’s launching a “Recommendation Reset” feature, where you can literally reset your algorithm and rebuild your feed from scratch. It’s like hitting the reset button, so if your feed feels stale, you can refresh it.

5. Teen Accounts Are Getting More Protection

Instagram is rolling out stricter safety settings for teen accounts. If your audience is younger (Gen Z, anyone?), make sure your content is in line with these new safety standards. Instagram is taking extra steps to keep things safe for the younger crowd.

How to Make Instagram’s Algorithm Work for You

Now that we know what’s changing, let’s talk about how you can take advantage of the algorithm Instagram has. Here are some tips to help you get more engagement and make the algorithm love your content.

1. Engage in the Comments

The more you interact with your followers, the more the algorithm will notice. Respond to every comment, even if it’s just a quick “thanks!” It shows the algorithm that people are engaging with your content, and the more engagement you get, the higher your content will rank.

2. Use Carousels (They’re Awesome)

Carousels are like secret weapons. You can post multiple photos or videos in one post, and here’s the cool part: if someone doesn’t swipe all the way through, Instagram will treat the unseen slides as “new content” and show them again later. It’s like getting multiple chances for engagement with one post.

3. Post When Your Audience Is Actually Online

It’s not just about posting all the time. It’s about posting at the right time. If you want your content to be seen by more people, try posting during these times:

  • Best days to post: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
  • Best times to post: 6 AM – 9 AM, 12 PM – 2 PM, 5 PM – 6 PM

Post at these times, and you might notice a boost in engagement!

4. Use Interactive Features

Instagram’s interactive features (like polls, questions, DMs, etc.) are a goldmine for boosting engagement. When people interact with your content, it sends a signal to Instagram that your post is worth sharing. So, throw in some polls or ask questions in your Stories, and encourage DMs in your captions. You can measure your success through KPIs. 

5. Don’t Sleep on Hashtags

Hashtags are still important. But instead of just using the super popular ones, mix in some niche hashtags that aren’t so crowded. This helps your content get discovered by people who are really interested in what you’re posting. So do your hashtag research and use the right mix.

6. The Unicorn Strategy: Growing Your Instagram Like a Pro

Here’s a fun little strategy that helped us grow an Instagram account from zero to millions of followers: the Unicorn Strategy. It’s basically all about finding accounts that are doing well, seeing what content is working for them, and then putting your own spin on it. Here’s how to do it:

  • Find an account that’s crushing it.
  • Look at their most popular posts.
  • Think about how you can improve it or add your own unique twist.

Final Thoughts

Instagram’s algorithm is always changing, but by staying updated and using the right strategies, you can make it work in your favor. In 2025, it’s all about creativity, connection, and engagement.

So, get creative, engage with your followers, and make sure you’re posting at the right times. If you do that, you’ll be seeing way more love from Instagram, and who doesn’t want that? 

If you want to take your Instagram ads to the next level? Check out ADGPT, to generate engaging Instagram ads that drive next level results!


Question & Answers

A: User relationships, user interest, and post relevancy impact content ranking and visibility on Instagram.

A: Like 5 posts, comment on 5, and follow 5 to increase engagement and attract reciprocal actions.

A: Instagram will focus on short-form videos, especially Reels, to drive growth in 2025 and beyond.

A: Go to profile, select "Content preferences," then reset "Suggested content" to refresh Instagram's recommendations.

A: Input (well-defined), output (produces result), and finiteness (terminates after finite steps).


Author Image

Dudi Rali

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Dudi Rali serves as Head of User Acquisition at AdGPT.com, bringing extensive expertise in performance marketing. With a proven track record in PPC campaign management and SEO strategy implementation, Dudi has consistently delivered measurable growth results across various digital channels. His analytical approach to optimization and deep understanding of search algorithms make him instrumental in expanding AdGPT.com's user base through effective digital acquisition strategies.

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