Cracking Social Media Algorithms

Your friend posts a meme with #funny and gets 10 likes. You post the same meme with #FunnyMemes #BangaloreHumor and get 200+ likes. What explains the difference?

• Your friend's followers are inactive.

• Memes perform better on Tuesdays.

• You posted at midnight.

• You used specific hashtags the algorithm favors.

Answer explanation

Niche hashtags (#BangaloreHumor) beat generic ones (#funny) because algorithms see them as more relevant.

Lina notices her Instagram Explore page only shows fitness content after she liked three gym posts. Her friend’s Explore page displays travel photos instead. What does this reveal about algorithms?

• Algorithms personalise feeds based on past interactions.

• All users see the same content on Explore.

• Algorithms create filter bubbles by limiting diverse content.

• Instagram manually chooses posts for each user.

Answer explanation

Algorithms track behavior (likes, watches) to customize feeds.

Over time, this creates "filter bubbles" where users see less variety.

Rahul’s tweet about a new tech gadget gets 10 retweets in 5 minutes. What will Twitter’s algorithm MOST likely do next?

• Bury the tweet to avoid spam.

• Show it to more users interested in tech.

• Delete it for no reason.

• Charge Rahul for extra reach.

Answer explanation

Fast engagement signals "high quality," so algorithms expand its reach.

A café’s Reel of latte art gets 50% watch time. When they add the text "Guess the flavor? 👇" to their next Reel, watch time jumps to 80%. This boost happens because interactive captions signal higher engagement to the algorithm.

• True
• False

Answer explanation

Adding interactive elements (questions, polls) increases viewer retention and engagement, which algorithms prioritize. The jump from 50% to 80% watch time shows the algorithm rewarded this behavior with more reach.

Your YouTube Short gets 1,000 views in 1 hour but then stops. Why?

• Your thumbnail was ugly.

• You forgot to tag @YouTube.

• The algorithm tested it but needed stronger retention to push further.

• Videos expire after 60 minutes.

Answer explanation

Platforms like YouTube/TikTok use "cold starts" – small test audiences decide if content goes viral.