The Social Media Algorithm Explained Simply

Apple | Spotify

What if I told you the algorithm isn’t actually out to get you? What if it’s not this mysterious, ever-changing monster hiding in the shadows of your social media apps? The Social Media Algorithm Explained Simply

In this week’s episode of Small Business Growth Addicts, I’m breaking down the algorithm in the simplest way possible, a way that makes sense, takes away the fear, and helps you actually use it to grow your business.

Inside my social media mentorship for small business owners, Get Seen Get Sales, we lovingly call the algorithm Big AL. And once you start thinking of it as a person with a job to do, it all starts to feel a whole lot less overwhelming.

Let’s get into it, the social media algorithm explained. Listen Now

🎧 Hit play on the podcast player at the top of this page.

The Algorithm Isn’t Your Enemy

Every social media platform Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, has an algorithm running behind it. And believe it or not, its job isn’t to sabotage your posts.

Its job is to match your content with the people who’ll enjoy it most.

Big AL wants to get it right. If he doesn’t, he gets into trouble (in algorithm terms) So he doesn’t blast your content out to thousands of people right away, he starts small.

And this is where most small business owners feel defeated before they even begin. How “Big AL” Actually Works

Here’s the simple breakdown:

1. Your post enters Big AL’s world.

He scans it for clues:

• Keywords

• Key phrases

• Text on screen

• Hook wording

• Topic indicators

These tell him what your post is about.

2. He finds a tiny test group who usually enjoy that kind of content.

Not thousands. Not all your followers. A tiny handful.

3. Their reaction determines your reach.

If they:

• Watch to the end

• Like

• Comment

• Share

• Save

…Big AL thinks, “Brilliant! I understood this correctly, show it to more people!”

If they don’t, he quietly reduces the reach because he thinks he got it wrong.

That’s it. No conspiracy. No punishment. No drama. Just matchmaking.

Listen Now

🎧 Hit play on the podcast player at the top of this page.

The Part Most People Forget: User Behaviour Changes More Than the Algorithm

Algorithms don’t change every five minutes. Human behaviour does.

People follow differently now. They consume differently. They interact differently. They are more selective about who they follow and how they interact than ever before.

This is why:

• The Canva-style branded slides we all loved in 2023–24 aren’t working as well

• Casual storytelling carousels are taking off

• Real, honest messaging is outperforming AI-written captions

• Simple photos from your dog walk can outperform polished graphics

It’s not that the algorithm changes that often, people do.

Which is exactly why staying up to date with what’s working right now matters. So How Do You Use the Algorithm to Your Advantage?

1. Give Big AL enough information.

Clear keywords. Clear topics. Clear hooks. Clear text on screen.

2. Make sure your content is something your ideal client actually wants to see right now.

Not last month. Not last year. Now. Meet them where they're at.

3. Tell honest stories and show the real human behind the business.

People are craving connection more than ever.

4. Stop expecting instant virality.

Big AL starts small, and that’s a good thing.

If This All Feels Overwhelming… Come Join Us!

Inside Get Seen Get Sales, I keep small business owners up to date with:

• What’s working right now on social media

• Weekly content prompts/hooks

• Monthly Masterclasses

• Support with multiple social media platforms

• Real-time updates on shifts in user behaviour

• Training on SEO, hooks, messaging and more

If you're tired of guessing, you don’t have to. I’ll guide you every step of the way.

December 2025 Offer:

✨ Your first month is only £20 using code FRIEND at checkout