How should I balance creating content for the algorithm versus staying authentic?

Stay authentic first and foremost. Don’t create content solely for the algorithm. When people start doing things only for algorithmic favor, it might work temporarily, but you’ll get tired of it because it won’t feel real or true to yourself. The solution is to stay authentic in your content creation and add small algorithmic boosts where they fit naturally—like using trending audio when you create a reel, which gives you access to copyrighted music that the algorithm distributes better. Use algorithm-friendly tactics as enhancements to your authentic content, not as the foundation.

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Asked by an artist trying to grow on Instagram · Answered by Juan · Office Hours · 2026-06-04