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A clear 2026 summary of what Instagram's head has said publicly about ranking, turned into posting advice, including trial reels for testing ideas on non-followers.
How the Instagram Algorithm Works: Up-to-Date 2026 Guide
From buffer.com by Buffer 15 min
- Watch time, likes per reach and sends per reach carry the most weight, per Adam Mosseri
- Sends matter more for reaching people who do not follow you
- Trial reels are shown to non-followers first, so you can test a hook without your followers seeing it
