An algorithm in social media is a set of rules and calculations used by social media platforms to sort and prioritize content in a users feed based on relevancy instead of publish time. Social media algorithms are designed to maintain order and assist in ranking search results and advertisements. They analyze user behavior and prioritize content that the platform believes the user wants to see and is most likely to engage with. The specific algorithm and its ranking factors can vary between social media platforms, and they are always changing, making it difficult for marketers to keep up. Some key aspects of social media algorithms include:

• Relevancy: Algorithms are designed to deliver content that is potentially more "interesting" for a user to the detriment of posts that are deemed irrelevant or low-quality.

• Content-based: Some algorithms are content-based, meaning that they seek to match a users taste, based on their profile, to specific posts that the system guesses the user will like.

• Prioritization: Algorithms prioritize content that the platform believes the user wants to see and is most likely to engage with.

• Ranking: Algorithms direct pages and content to display in a certain order.

Social media algorithms are used on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. They can bring low visibility and no traction to budding influencers or marketers with a handful of followers. However, mastering social media algorithms is crucial for any business or individual.