Facebook’s algorithm is always changing, and it can be hard to keep up with the latest updates. However, it’s important to understand the basics of how the algorithm works, so that you can adapt your Facebook marketing strategy accordingly.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the basics of Facebook’s algorithm and how it has changed over the years. We’ll also explore some of the factors that the algorithm takes into account when ranking content in the News Feed.
Understanding how the Facebook algorithm works is essential for any business that wants to make the most of Facebook marketing. Keep reading to learn more!
What is the Facebook Algorithm?
The Facebook algorithm is the set of rules that the platform uses to determine what content to show in a user’s News Feed. The algorithm is constantly evolving, in order to improve the user experience on Facebook.
One of the main goals of the algorithm is to show users the content that they are most likely to find interesting and engaging. To do this, the algorithm takes into account a variety of factors, such as the type of content, who posted it, and how often the user engages with similar content.
The algorithm also takes into account the user’s current activity on Facebook. For example, if a user has been scrolling through their News Feed for a long period of time, the algorithm will assume that they are interested in the content and will continue to show them similar content.
However, if a user scrolls through their News Feed and doesn’t stop to engage with any content, the algorithm will assume that they are not interested in that particular type of content and will adjust accordingly.
Over the years, the Facebook algorithm has become increasingly sophisticated. In recent years, the algorithm has been updated to take into account things like the “quality” of a piece of content and how likely it is to spark a conversation.
The algorithm is also now better at predicting what content a user is likely to want to see, based on their past behavior on Facebook. For example, if a user has recently started following a lot of new pages, the algorithm will assume that they are interested in seeing more content from those pages in their News Feed.
How Has the Algorithm Changed Over Time?
The Facebook algorithm has undergone a number of major changes over the years. Here are some of the most significant updates:
• 2011: The algorithm was updated to prioritize content from friends and family members over content from pages and celebrities.
• 2012: The algorithm was updated to show more content from pages that a user had previously interacted with.
• 2013: The algorithm was updated to show more content that was shared by a user’s friends.
• 2014: The algorithm was updated to favor content that was shared by a user’s friends and also content that was liked or commented on by those friends.
• 2015: The algorithm was updated to give more weight to content that was posted by a user’s friends, in order to show users more relevant content.
• 2016: The algorithm was updated to take into account how long a user spends on a piece of content, as well as how much they engage with it.
• 2017: The algorithm was updated to prioritize content that sparks conversations and engagement.
• 2018: The algorithm was updated to prioritize content from pages that a user has interacted with recently.
• 2019: The algorithm was updated to take into account a wider range of signals, such as how much time a user spends on a piece of content, and whether they engage with it.