The Instagram algorithm rewards accounts that receive direct messages and whose posts are shared via DM. However, actively sending numerous DMs provides no direct algorithmic benefit. Strategy should focus on creating content that encourages inbound conversations rather than mass outbound outreach.

The "algorithm" isn't a mystical entity to be tricked. It's a direct reflection of whether people find your content interesting. Taking a posting break won't help if you return with the same unengaging content. The only way to succeed is to create things people actually want to consume and share.

According to Instagram's CEO, the type of engagement matters for your reach goals. Content that gets more shares is prioritized for "disconnected reach" (non-followers). Content that gets more likes is more likely to be shown to your existing followers. Tailor your content's call-to-action to your specific reach objective.

Instagram's head, Adam Mosseri, confirmed it's a myth that sharing your own post to your story increases its circulation. While it can garner more views from existing followers who watch stories, it does not signal the algorithm to push the content to a wider, non-follower audience or help it go viral.

The Instagram algorithm heavily weighs viewer retention. As users become more selective with likes and shares, the passive engagement of simply watching a video to completion has become a primary driver for getting more views, influencing the algorithm more than active engagement might suggest.

Contrary to popular belief, Instagram's algorithm does not reward accounts for direct engagement activities like replying to comments or DMs. While these actions foster community goodwill, they are not a factor in content reach. For time-strapped creators, posting new content provides a far greater growth ROI.

Likes are a vanity metric. For algorithmic success, focus on content that encourages saves and comments, but most importantly, shares. Instagram has explicitly stated it is prioritizing content that gets shared to boost its reach.

The idea of a universal "best time to post" is a myth, per Instagram's CEO. The algorithm no longer heavily weights recency. A highly engaging post from days ago will be prioritized in feeds over a new, low-interaction post, making content quality the ultimate factor for reach.

Instagram's native analytics show when followers are online, but this doesn't guarantee engagement. The speaker uses a third-party tool that provides a heatmap of when his audience has historically been most *engaged* with content. This subtle distinction allows for more effective post timing.