The Facebook algorithm: It happened to me and yes, it happened to you too!

The conversation surrounding Facebook in 2018 has been centered on the new algorithm changes. Designed to encourage more meaningful interactions between people, you’ve likely noticed how these changes apply to your newsfeed.

Gone are the days of engagement baiting, as brands now have to modify their methods to embrace Mark Zuckerberg’s vision of Facebook. Brands will need to listen to the druthers of their audience to curate content that resonates with the audience and garners their engagement. Social Media has created a paradigm shift where brands are encouraged to be more participatory with their clientele, and these algorithm changes further exacerbate the need to LISTEN.

Recent User Engagement Trends

The algorithm change was not totally unexpected, as recent user engagement trends demonstrate. TheStreet reports that the percentage of U.S. adults using Facebook remained flat relative to an April 2016 report showing 68% participation. The percentage of users who stated that they visited Facebook “several times a day” fell from 55% to 51%. Based on the dip in usage, and waning sentiments towards Facebook advertising, the new algorithm was developed.

These changes don’t spell out doom and gloom for brands. With a bit of creative thinking and adaptability, you can ride this latest wave without wiping out!

Ideas For Business Page Content 

Here are some areas to focus on when publishing content to Facebook:

  • Inspire fans with meaningful content. You’d be hard-pressed to find meaningful interactions on Facebook without meaningful content. Discover ways to convey your brand’s message in unexpected ways to avoid falling into the clickbait trap, as Facebook will be demoting those posts to the bottom of the newsfeed. Your focus now, more than ever, is to inspire, educate and inform those followers. Look back to older posts that earned high engagement, find the pattern and implement a strategy around it moving forward.
  • Jump on the video bandwagon. If you weren’t already utilizing videos and Facebook Live, there’s no time like NOW to begin doing so! The stats all confirm that video content drives higher engagement, why wouldn’t you be cashing in it? Plan out your video content, make it something that resonates with your followers and gets the conversation started.
  • Paid ads are still effective. Ads are Facebook’s primary source of revenue, so trust they aren’t going away anytime soon. By utilizing ads, you can customize your reach to areas such as location, interest and demographics. Do this right and you’ll be able to hone in on those Facebook users who are more likely to consider your brand and interact with it.

There’s nothing to be scared of regarding Facebook’s new algorithm – It’s not the first time they’ve switched things up, and most certainly won’t be the last. If you are still struggling to make your way through the Facebook algorithm changes or aren’t sure where to get started on the whole idea of meaningful content, MILO’s team of digital experts are here to help. Let’s talk!