Search Algorithm

The term search algorithm, when used in the context of social media, refers to the complex set of computations and ranking methodologies that platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter (now X), and others use to determine what order and what posts, accounts, hashtags, or other content are relevant to a user when they do a search or, more commonly, when they are just scrolling through their feed. These algorithms analyze an immense range of factors to try and deliver what they think is the most relevant content for any given user. A few of the more discernible factors that platform developers have let us in on include relevance to the keyword (or keywords) being searched, engagement levels of a post (how many people have liked or commented on it), and, believe it or not, the specific user’s timeliness (how many times they’ve been on the platform recently and what time of day their recent platform activity has been).