Facebook Algorithm Update 2022

Facebook Algorithm Update 2022

Facebook claims that the Feed ‘shows you interesting and educational stories.’ During the course of 2022, the Facebook algorithm will continue to determine what stories are relevant by using three ranking indicators:

Who shared the content: 

You're much more likely to view content from sources you communicate with and trust, such as businesses and friends.

Content-type:

If you engage most often with video, you'll see more videos. If you interact with photos, you'll see more photos.

Interactions on posts: 

The Feed algorithm will prioritise posts with lots of interaction, particularly from those you interact with frequently.

Each post is ranked on these primary indicators to determine where it will appear in your Feed.

Facebook provides users with options to help them learn the algorithm and tailor their feeds:

• Favourites: Users can choose up to 30 individuals and pages to add to their Favourites (formerly called ‘See the First’). The posts that are from these accounts will show higher in the Feed. To open Favourites, click the down arrow at the top of Facebook and then click Settings and Privacy, followed by The News Feed's Preferences.
• Feed options for In-feed: Click on the three horizontal dots on any post and you'll be presented with a number of options. Choose to Hide this post to inform Facebook that you'd like to remove posts like this within your Feed. In the case of ads, the same selection is Hide ads. Facebook will then present you with the option to let you know why you'd like to remove the ad. This will let the platform determine which advertisements you'd like to hear from, and which ones you'd prefer to avoid.

In the end, Facebook will remove content that violates the company's Community Standards. They can also ‘remove or limit the reach of users for certain types of sensitive content,’ such as nudity or violence.

Five tips for working with the Facebook algorithm:

1. Find out what your audience wants to see

Facebook states that it will only show posts that are ‘meaningful and educational.’ What is that exactly?

• Important: Stories the user would like to share with family and friends or read (based on their previous behaviour) and videos they'd like to watch.
• Informing: Content someone will discover as new and interesting, which will vary according to the user.

Knowing what is meaningful and useful to your audience is a must. You need to know their specific desires and behaviour. This means that you have to conduct some research on your audience.

2. Create authentic and accurate content

Facebook declares, "people on Facebook appreciate authentic, accurate information." Facebook also stipulates that posts users consider authentic will be more prominent in the Feed. In addition, they strive to lower the rank of posts that people consider "misleading or even untrue."

Some suggestions for signalling to algorithms that the content you post is reliable and authentic:

• Make sure your headlines are clear: Your headline clearly explains what readers will discover in your blog. You are certainly able to come up with some creative ideas; however, don't make use of headlines that are clickbait or misleading.
• Be honest: Always tell the truth. Don't exaggerate or sensationalise.

Other types of content to avoid:

• Links to websites that make use of scraped, stolen, or fake content, with no added value
• Borderline Content (content that isn't illegal but could be)
• False information
• Health information that is misleading/potentially dangerous ‘cures.’
• ‘Deepfake’ videos or manipulated videos classified as fake by third-party fact-checkers

3. Do not try to alter the algorithm

It’s so important that you know how the algorithm functions so you can understand what Facebook finds valuable to its users.

It would help if you did your research to determine how these principles apply to your particular group of readers. Create content that will be a hit with them, and provide positive ranking signals towards the system.

The idea of manipulating the algorithm to obtain greater exposure than what your content deserves is a major no-no. This includes the example of offering to pay for comments, or engagement or using other black-hat strategies to alter your content's reach.

The key message here is to work in conjunction with the algorithm, rather than against it.

4. Engage your audience

The algorithm prioritises posts on pages that users have previously interacted with. This means that stepping up your replies is important.

If someone is willing to comment on your post, take advantage of the opportunity. Making them feel heard by responding to them will increase the chances that they'll continue to leave comments on your blog posts in the future. Naturally, this will send more signals of engagement to your algorithm. However, if you ignore them, they'll probably be silent.

5. Make sure your audience is engaged with one another

Remember when we mentioned that the algorithm favours content that people would like to discuss and share with their peers? A fairly simple way to get this message across is to encourage people share your content and talk about it with their friends.

Looking for an innovative approach to social media? Contact the experts at EWM for an unparalleled strategy!