Inside the Box of the Facebook Algorithm 2023 and How It Works?

‘Dear Facebook Algorithm, What are you up to these days? I feel like you are constantly changing the way that I see posts on my feed’. We all have these types of thoughts running in our minds.

With the new changes in the World, Facebook has been continuously evolving and changing. Facebook is an excellent platform that makes almost anything. With nearly one billion active users, you are bound to find someone who shares your interests. The Facebook algorithm has gone through changes to make it more efficient and work better for everyone.

For instance, they changed the news feed to prioritize posts from friends, pages you are subscribed to, posts shared on Facebook Live, posts from pages you are following, posts on the same topic up to your friends, and photos. They also improved the search feature on Facebook, and many other changes can be easily seen.

The Facebook algorithm is pretty innovative. It continues to change but never unleashes its actual card. Want to explore more?

Hold your Pumpkin Latte, sit back as we are ready to dive into the whole new world of the Facebook algorithm.

What is the Facebook Algorithm?

Facebook’s algorithm is what determines your feed. It sorts through all of your posts and decides which ones are more interesting to you than others. The more engaging posts get pushed higher on your news feed. Since Facebook is constantly changing its algorithm, it is challenging to keep up with the changes.

The algorithm considers your past interactions within Facebook, what you currently have open, and what other people are doing to decide what should be shown on your feed.

In the past, the Facebook algorithm would work to promote posts from friends and family, posts from pages you liked, and posts from the author of the reader’s posts. In early 2018, Facebook revamped its algorithm to focus more on posts from friends and family and less on posts from pages, which may have resulted from the recent internet outrage around the implications of Facebook’s algorithm.

A Brief History of the Facebook Algorithm

Facebook continues to upgrade its algorithm but do you know how it all started? Here we have narrowed down all the Facebook algorithm changes that have gone down since 2006.

Let’s walk to memory lane and look at how gradually it has changed.

It all started back in 2006…

2006 – The Launch of News Feed and Status Update

Facebook launched the concept of the news feed and status update back in 2006.

At first, you have to search for people to see their updates and other stuff manually, but the launch of the news feed made it more accessible.

Instead of only receiving notifications and messages, users began to see the status updates of their friends they are connected with.

2007 – The Addition of Like Button

The blue Like button was introduced in 2007. The addition of the Like button made interaction easier and simple. Users can interact with others’ posts by liking their status updates, pictures, and videos.

It’s been 14 years since we had the Like button with us!

2009 – The News Feed Filters

Moving forward to 2009, then it was the time when Facebook launched the news feed filters. The Facebook algorithm was born in 2009 when Facebook decided to set the reverse-chronological news feed. This meant that posts with higher engagement would show first.

With the news feed algorithm, the 2009 Facebook users have seen many changes, such as the users could make fine-tunes to their status updates and could attach multimedia to their posts. Moreover, users can set a specific list of friends who would see their status updates and posts.

Undoubtedly, 2009 brought so many changes to Facebook.

2011 – Facebook News Ticker

Next, we have 2011, and the significant change was the combined News Feed. Instead of showing the posts with higher engagement, people could see the most relevant content from their friends at any given time.

Remember getting notifications of your friends’ activity back in those days?

That was the Facebook News Ticker to the right of your Newsfeed. Facebook used the News Ticker to show the users what their friends were up to? Users could see their friends’ activities such as liking, commenting, adding, etc.

2013 – News Feed Update

In 2013, Facebook announced a few changes in the News Feed algorithm. Facebook decided to show the most high-quality content to the users. Moreover, Facebook redesigned the News Feed for better visual appearance and, of course, increased engagement levels.

2014 – Click Baits, Instagram and More

2014 came with significant changes. We have narrowed down all the significant changes that happened in 2014.

• Remember those annoying headlines ‘You won’t believe what happened next?’ Users were annoyed with these posts, and then Facebook took action and decided to eliminate all clickbait Facebook monitored these posts through the bounce rate or how much time users spent after clicking on them.
• Another significant change was Instagram’s first algorithm The ‘Explore’ tab was improved, and Instagram showed all the popular posts to all Instagram users.
• The next was Video updates. Facebook decided to show view counts with the videos. Moreover, Facebook announced that users could see the next recommended video once they have finished watching it with the video counts.
• Moving to December 2014, where Facebook implements the keyword search Users were able to see previous posts or the names of friends. Hence, Facebook made the search option more effortless and more accessible.
• Facebook also introduced the new option ‘Find Apps.’

2015 –  Addition of Gifs and ‘Buy’ Button

Let’s have a look at what 2015 brought to Facebook.

• Facebook announced that users can now post GIFs with their posts in 2015. Users can quickly post a GIF from other websites such as Giphy, Imgur, and others. Once the users paste their GIFs link to their posts, Facebook will automatically animate the GIF in the News Feed.
• Another significant change was the ‘Buy’ Button. Facebook announced the option ‘Buy’ button for Shopify merchants.
• Facebook allowed the users to prioritize their news feed with the ‘See First’ option moving to the next update. Users can filter out all those posts they aren’t interested in or do not want to see. Moreover, users can choose the accounts they want to see at the News Feed when they log into Facebook.

2016 – Addition of Colors to Text-Based Posts

Who doesn’t love to add colors to text-based posts on Facebook? Of course, everyone would love to do it.

• So, it was 2016 when Facebook upgraded the news feed by adding colors to the text-based posts. Users can choose the theme, create their posts using emojis and hashtags, and share their colorful posts.
• Do you love to share your favorite moments with Friends? Back in 2016, Facebook allowed users to share moments at the top of the News Feed. It can be anything: a holiday-themed card, historical event, or culture.

2017 -Reactions and Stories

We all love those cute reactions from Facebook, right?

These Facebook reactions rolled out in 2017. Undoubtedly, these Facebook reactions are the ultimate source of interaction. Users can react to others’ posts using ‘laughing,’ ‘love,’ ‘care,’ ‘wow,’ ‘sad,’ and ‘angry.’

The next significant addition was Facebook stories. This story feature allows users to share their favorite pictures, videos, or textual content with their social circles. These Facebook stories last 24 hours only.

2018 – Meaningful Interactions

Facebook moved towards increasing engagements in 2018 and prioritized the posts with higher concentration so that users can have meaningful interaction.

Another update was Facebook’s 3D photos. Users can see and share 3D photos on their status updates with their friends.

2019 -News Feed Update

Facebook upgraded the algorithm again in 2019. The significant change was the distribution of quality and original video content.

Another change was Facebook focused on News Feed highlights and close friend content, including user interactions, check-ins, and tagging.

2021 and Beyond

For the most part, the idea of the Facebook algorithm is a mystery to most people. That’s because up until now, Facebook’s algorithm mainly focused on prioritizing what users saw in their News Feed. This resulted in a filtered view of what was important and exciting to the user. But in the coming years, this will change.

With new advances in technology, the Facebook algorithm will shift to emphasize priorities such as what time users log on and how long they spend browsing the News Feed. The goal is to personalize the content to make users feel more in control and less overwhelmed. This is both a change that users and brands can embrace.

Featured Article: 13 Practical Tips to Boost Facebook Marketing for Small Business

How Does the Facebook Algorithm 2023 Work?

Facebook has been working on how to improve its algorithm to surface the best content to the people who are most likely to engage with it, which should lead to fewer interruptions for users.

It revolves around the four ranking factors. So, we have narrowed down all those four ranking factors that the Facebook algorithm needs.

Facebook Algorithm’s Four Ranking Factors

The Facebook algorithm ensures that all Facebook users get the most relevant updates, news, and information they are interested in. It is by no means an easy algorithm to crack, but some ranking factors are well known.

1.  Inventory

   So, the first factor is inventory. It includes all the content from the platform. It could be anything, a post from a close friend, family, all the groups you have joined, and all the pages fall under the example of inventory.

   In short, your inventory is all the posts that are available to display on your News Feed.

2.  Signals

   Signals are a significant part of the Facebook algorithm that tells Facebook about the post. Signals are further divided into two categories.

   • Active
   • Passive

   Active Signals promotes engagements to your posts which includes likes, shares, and comments.
   Passive Signals are the non-active metrics that include view time, time posted, and story type.

3. Predictions

   Ever happened when you searched for a specific thing on Facebook, and then your news feed is bombarded with the same precise thing?

   That’s the prediction from Facebook. It not only impacts the ads but also assesses your Facebook profile, likes, dislikes, and the posts you are interested in. So, that it can only show you the content, you are likely to engage in.

   Predictions are basically how you react to the post.

4.   Relevancy Score

   Facebook assigns scores to all the content from the platform that displays how specific content is for the user. The higher score suggests the content that will be likely to show on your news feed.

How Do You Get the Most Out of the Facebook Algorithm Changes?

One way to get the most out of the Facebook algorithm changes is to have a strategy behind your post. For example, bloggers might post general content on Facebook focused on an event or trending topic to help with engagement and reach.

Facebook has been setting some new standards for what they prefer on their site. What does this mean for you? Well, for marketers, you need to make some changes if you’re looking to stay connected with friends and family and continue to grow your audience on Facebook.

How do you do this?

• Engage more You can’t hope to get more likes, comments, and shares without putting in the work. That means more posts, more likes, and more shares. And don’t forget to post more photos and track your Facebook metrics then.
• Break up your day with some videos. Video is taking over the world. Why not hop on the bandwagon to create some challenges and engage your audience.
• Lastly, focus on quality, not quantity.

Related Article: 25 Facebook Metrics That Are Worth Tracking in 2022 for Successful Campaigns

Tips to Outplay Facebook Algorithm in 2023

Facebook is still in the process of rolling out algorithm changes that introduce a greater level of human oversight and control. Facebook’s goal with this change is to crack down on the spread of misleading and divisive opinions. Facebook’s objective is to make sure that users see content that reflects their own beliefs and opinions and find ways to combat potential misuse in ways that we previously could not.

The changes in the algorithm make it harder for the platform to be used to manipulate people and deliver false information. We have listed down some ways you can outplay the Facebook algorithm in 2023 to run successful campaigns & increase engagement & leads.

1. Engage With the Audience

   To respond means to communicate or to interact.

   If you do not respond from your account, you can not have a good following to understand your followers, preferences, likes, and dislikes.

   Interaction helps in understanding, and understanding helps in building a good number of followers!

2. Post at the Right Time

   Before you post your content, you need to look at the perfect or the right time to upload your content. Posting the content at the right time is critical. Dig into the best time to post on Facebook, and you will find out the right time to post.

   Many bloggers post their content in the morning, which is understandable because they are most likely to be awake, but if you want to reach the most people, your best chance is during the nighttime.

   While it can be tempting to post when you are in the mood, For example, if someone’s Facebook feed is filled with posts from friends and family late at night while they are snuggled up in bed about to go to sleep, chances are they are reading their feed while being in a state of relaxation.

3. Inspire Your Audience

   Everyone has a story to tell, and the key to inspiring your audience is telling those stories. Hubspot says that 46% of marketers identify themselves as an “inspirational” brand.

   The key to being a good storyteller is remembering your audience and telling your story in a way that resonates with their experiences. If you can create a connection with your listeners, then you can inspire them.

   One of the best ways to inspire your audience with your content is to:

   • Be original: Develop your perspective and perspective to offer an insight that no one else has thought of
   • Be engaging: Ask questions that will stimulate conversation. Provoke an emotional response with your content
   • Be interactive: Allow the audience to submit their answers and provide feedback on your blog
   • Be authentic: Let your thoughts and emotions show through in your content
   • Support your points: You need to back up your ideas with evidence or statistics

4. Produce Quality Content

   The quote “Content is king” is now more relevant than ever as people are now demanding relevant content to make a better connection with their customers. The more relevant content a company produces, the more chances of turning a potential customer into a customer.

   It’s not enough to just produce content. Your content needs to be of the highest quality. This is often difficult to measure, but there are a few things you can do to help improve your content quality. Check for spelling and grammar mistakes and see if the content is too repetitive, poorly formatted and if it doesn’t make sense. Quality content will showcase the best of your company and will make it easier for your customers to see your company as a go-to for their needs.

5. Create Short and Engaging Videos

   When you want to create a video to promote your product, your business, or your service, the most important thing to remember is that you need to do it professionally with an engaging video. Have you tried creating videos for your brand on Facebook? If yes, and you didn’t get the maximum reach, then it could be two reasons:

   • You have uploaded long videos.
   • Your video content isn’t engaging enough to attract the audience.

   People love to watch short videos, but people would get bored and leave it without watching if your videos are too long. Try creating short videos and focus on your message to grab the attention of your audience.

Featured Article: 26 Simple & Practical Ways to Increase Facebook Engagement in 2022

Conclusion

Facebook has gone through a lot of changes to make it work better for everyone. From the shift in the news feed to prioritize posts from friends to improving the search feature and more.

Still, Facebook is working on rolling out updates to its algorithm to promote more engaging content. With this in mind, your posts might likely take longer to be seen, making it even more important to post engaging content. However, stay focused on your business objectives and make sure you use the right content to improve your rankings.

Happing Posting!

Frequently Answered Questions

1. How does Facebook decide what I see?
   Posts that are highly influenced by your connections are displayed at the top of the News Feed. The News Feed algorithm works to ensure that users do not miss updates from their friends. It also tries to keep users from being overloaded with updates.
2. What are the Facebook algorithm ranking signals to consider?
   The four Facebook algorithm ranking signals are

• • Relationships
  • Content-Type
  • Popularity
  • Recency

3. How do I change the algorithm of Facebook to see more posts?
   You can even toggle between the Home Tab and Recent Tab to see all the old posts.
4. How can the Facebook algorithm affect your business?
   The algorithm is an essential element of Facebook’s business model. It allows the social media company or businesses to charge advertisers for reaching a targeted audience.
5. How does the News Feed algorithm work?
   The News Feed algorithm works to ensure that users do not miss updates from their friends. It also tries to keep users from being overloaded with updates.