How the Instagram Explore Algorithm Works

Published on 31.03.2026 by Chizoba T

One of Instagram's features that can help you easily gain visibility and grow your account is the Explore page. Since it shows your content to people who don't follow your account, appearing here can help it reach a bigger audience. However, with many creators and brands all angling to appear here, it can be hard to outrank them.

One of the ways that you can stay ahead of your competition is by understanding how the Instagram Explore page algorithm works. By understanding the factors Instagram considers when ranking articles on the Explore page, you can work toward boosting your presence on the Explore page. In this article, we will help you understand how the Instagram Explore page algorithm works and how you can use it to your advantage.

How Instagram Explore Page Impacts Your Growth

The Instagram Explore page is the primary discovery tool on the platform and affects content's reach. Your ability to make your post appear here will also impact your content's reach. Every day, millions of people browse the Explore page, viewing videos, reels, posts, and other content in various formats.

Instagram users can discover content on the Explore page by checking trending hashtags, topics, and suggested accounts. This page offers brands an opportunity to reach thousands of new users every day. Whether you are an influencer, brand, or business, the Explore page can help you to:

  • Generate a higher engagement with less ad spend.
  • Have more followers who are already in love with your content.
  • Have more visibility, sales, and influence through the Explore page.

How the Instagram Explore Page Increases Engagement

The Explore page shows users the content they are likely to view depending on their behavior patterns. The Instagram algorithm considers factors such as likes, comments, saves, and shares to determine what appears on the Explore page. Some of the reasons why you should aim to appear in the Explore page include:

  • Features content not appearing in the main Instagram feed from accounts that you hardly follow.
  • Hacking the Instagram Explore page algorithm can help you grow without spending on advertisements. This is especially true when you discover that the Instagram algorithm rewards consistency.
  • Prioritize the post with the highest engagement rate, and mostly push reels, carousel posts, and videos.
  • The Instagram Explore page updates regularly, based on user activity and trending topics.

The content shown on the Explore page is usually personalized depending on the post the user is interested in and is engaging with. When you understand how it works, you can improve your organic reach.

How to Go to Instagram Explore

It’s easy to open the Instagram Explore page in the following steps:

  1.  Open the Instagram app and click on the magnifying glass icon.
  2.  View the ranking videos, posts, and content suggested under the explorer page or Instagram Explore tab.

As noted earlier, you will be shown more of the kind of content you have been interacting with. That also means as a creator, you should focus on creating content that your audience engages with.

How the Instagram Explore Algorithm Works

The Instagram algorithm for the Explore page is different from that of the feed, reels, or stories. To ensure that your posts reach the relevant users, you need to understand how it works. Basically, if your posts are receiving a high engagement rate, such as likes, comments, shares, and saves, they are likely to appear on the Explore page.

However, if users scroll past your videos and photos with little to no interaction, your ranking in the Instagram feed will be lower. To determine the content that appears on the Instagram Explore page, the algorithm considers four main factors:

Use Behavior and Interaction

The Instagram algorithm tends to analyze the different interaction signals to determine the engagement signals of the users, such as:

  • Content they engage with. While likes are important, the comments and shares have more weight.
  • Watch time. Carousel videos and posts tend to hold the user’s attention longer, resulting in a longer watch time.
  • If an Instagram post has a longer dwell time, it signals to the algorithm that the content is worth watching. If this content is original, it stands out further.

To make the most of this, focus on creating posts that spark discussion by using opinions, questions, and valuable content that appears on the Explore page.

Engagement Metrics and Content Type

The engagement of a post during the first hour after publishing will also impact its ability to appear on the Explore page. If a post receives high engagement within the first hour of publishing, the algorithm will expand its reach. Different factors impact engagement, such as:

  • Carousel posts and reels often have high share velocity and save-to-impression ratios, making them more likely to be promoted.
  • Creative captions that nudge followers to respond often result in a high number of comments, which gives them prominence on the Explore page.
  • The posting time will also affect the engagement. If you post when your audience is more awake, this may reinforce the signal in your Explore Page ranking system. Therefore, consider scheduling your posts when your audience is most active.

Content Relevance and Personalization

If your posts lack a defined niche, their signal will be weaker on the Explore page. Therefore, a good idea would be to group your content into clear categories, such as fashion, fitness, or workouts, so it is shown to users interested in those niches.

The Instagram algorithm will also tailor the content on the Explore page based on different factors, such as:

  • How you previously interacted with the explore button, your Instagram search history, and its interactions.
  • The Instagram accounts you regularly use, in addition to the user demographics.
  • The content format you are spending a lot of time on depends on the topic cluster.

For your content to be better categorized by the algorithm, ensure it has a consistent theme. If you are a travel creator, don't post food content. Having a clear niche will help categorize content for the audience interested in it.

Account Consistency and Trust

Another way to increase your chances of appearing on the Explore page is by posting consistently. This works because it shows your brand as credible, thereby earning the algorithm's trust. Otherwise, if you are consistently irregular, the trust signals will be reduced.

Make sure you schedule your content in advance using the top social media automation tools to help you maintain a steady flow of content. In addition to gaining the algorithm's trust, it will help grow your audience. Make sure you prioritize the posts with the highest user engagement history and watch time. If you consistently create high-quality content, you can increase your chances of success in the future.

In Conclusion

If you feel your content isn't appearing on the Explore page, it could be that you aren't providing the algorithm with the kind of content it needs. By understanding how the Instagram Explore page algorithm works, you can focus on creating content that meets its needs.