Happy Halloween, creators. Shut the blinds and get your flashlight, for we have a spooky tale to tell.

It’s All Hallows’ Eve. The children have dumped candy-filled pillowcases and had their fill of chocolate. An influencer sets up their phone to shoot one last clip. Getting ready to post the final video, they reach for their phone. A hush has fallen onto the night. It’s quiet – too quiet. 

Something’s wrong. The apps won’t open. 

They let out a shaky breath. TikTok’s down. Instagram won’t open. YouTube.…? Their voice trails off. Dazed people roam the streets like the walking dead, light dimmed from their eyes.

“Wait,” a life coach appears out of the night. "We still have the list!"

Light appears on the horizon. The influencers grab their ring lights; the vloggers reapply their concealer. Together they chant: “The email list!” 

They were safe. For now.

Moral of the story: Build that email list. Before it’s too late.

– The Leap 

TL;DR

👌​ How do you make the IG algorithm work for you? Easy – keep it simple! Focus on consistency, “send” rates, engaging in comments and DMs, among other things. 

🧁​​ Trying to find the sweet spot between creating eye-catching Reels and monetizing them? Keenya Kelly has the secret recipe in this free guide. 

🏫​ Settle down class – it’s time for your Threaducation. First lesson: the benefits of adding a topic tag, why consistency is key, and why responding to comments gives users that edge.

How To Make the IG Algorithm Work for You

Feeling haunted by the unpredictability of the IG algorithm? Don’t be – what looks like a ghost is really just three kids in a white sheet. 

Sure, the algorithm seems to be always changing, but would you believe us if we said it’s actually for your benefit? Adam Mosseri, Chief of Instagram, explains how IG uses many algorithms to make things more personal for users. The good news for creators: Your content ends up in front of people who are really interested. 

Here are the main things you’ll want to keep in mind:

• Smaller creators are being amplified more than ever  
• Sends (i.e. share counts) are the new VIP 
• Aggregators (i.e. accounts that reshare content from other creators) get less love
• Every view counts (even replays!) 
• Watermarks can hurt your engagement 

So how do you make the IG algorithm work for you? Keep it simple! The key things you want to focus on are: making your content share, like, and save-worthy, consistency in posting, and engaging with your audience – both in the comments and in DMs. 

Want to make IG your ally? We’ve broken down all the details so you can wrap your head around how to move in flow with those algorithms.

⚡️ FREE RESOURCES

1. Sponsorships are where the real YouTube money’s at. Want to land one and nail it? Cathrin Manning’s got the step-by-step scoop →

2. Trying to find the sweet spot between creating eye-catching Reels and monetizing them? Keenya Kelly has the secret recipe in this ultimate (and free) guide → 

3. Time to bundle up. No, not scarves and hats – we’re talking about courses and workshops designed to help creators launch a successful business →

📲  NEW IN THE CREATOR WORLD

• Want to know why one Reel performs better than another? IG is experimenting with a footnote feature for creator accounts that will offer a quick explanation about why that Reel performed well. 

• If you’re picking the most attractive version of you for those YouTube thumbnails, you may want to reconsider. The best performing expressions: surprised and super smiley.

• Seekers of scientific secrets, your time has come. TikTok is adding a permanent STEM feed for users in the U.S., Great Britain, and Ireland. 

• Need a break from video content? You’ll be pleased to know that carousel posts are still hot – especially if you add in some music and use text in that first slide. 

• Settle down class – it’s time for your Threaducation. First lesson: the benefits of adding a topic tag, why consistency is key, and why responding to comments is important.