Marketers mistakenly believe social is only for passive consumption. In reality, algorithms now reward deep engagement. The key metrics for achieving organic reach are actions indicating focus, such as a user zooming in, pausing on text, or re-watching a video.

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Platform algorithms now prioritize showing users content relevant to their interests, regardless of who they follow. This means a brand's follower count is less important than the relevance of each individual piece of content. Any creator can achieve massive reach on a single post, making it a true meritocracy.

Conventional engagement metrics like likes and shares are often misleading. A more valuable indicator of content quality is dwell time. In an environment where users can easily skip content, their choice to spend more time with an ad is a powerful behavioral signal that the message is resonating.

When a social platform like LinkedIn introduces a new feature, such as "comment impressions," it's a direct signal of what behavior the algorithm will now favor. Prioritizing and testing these new features immediately can lead to outsized reach as you align with the platform's strategic goals.

Likes and comments are superficial vanity metrics. The true measure of a campaign's impact lies in saves and sends. A 'save' indicates a user's intent to revisit and use the information (e.g., a recipe), while a 'send' shows the content was compelling enough for a personal recommendation, representing a far stronger form of engagement.

Social media algorithms value time spent more than passive engagement like "likes." To increase your visibility with target prospects, engage in back-and-forth conversations in their direct messages. This signals to the algorithm that your relationship is important, making it more likely your content will appear in their feed.

Algorithms increasingly serve content to non-followers based on their interests, not just social connections. To succeed, marketers must shift from engaging existing followers to creating "recommendable" content that appeals to a broader, topic-focused audience.

The era of building a follower list like an email list is over. Platforms now use an "interest graph," meaning a post from an account with few followers can go viral if the content is compelling. This shift democratizes reach and prioritizes content quality above all else.

LinkedIn's algorithm has shifted. It no longer penalizes content you ignore (a negative signal). Instead, it exclusively uses positive signals—what you actively engage with—to determine your feed, making intentional engagement more critical than ever for shaping your content visibility.

LinkedIn now lets users see how many people save a post or send it in a private DM. These are strong signals to the platform's algorithm, indicating high-quality content. Focusing on creating content that encourages these actions can significantly boost organic circulation beyond simple likes and comments.

Platforms like TikTok fundamentally shifted content delivery from a "social graph" (friends) to an "interest graph" (hobbies, topics). This means businesses can now reach highly engaged audiences who don't follow them, making organic discovery more powerful than ever.

Social Media Algorithms Prioritize 'Lean-In' Behaviors Over Traditional Likes and Shares | RiffOn