Why Relationships Matter More Than Algorithms
I wanna talk about something that’s been on my mind lately, especially with the future of TikTok still up in the air. It’s about understanding how different social platforms work and making sure your business is built on solid ground.
Here’s what’s really interesting about these platforms.
TikTok’s For You Page is incredibly powerful for discovery - it’s amazing at getting your content in front of new audiences. And while TikTok does have features for following creators and building relationships, its main strength is still in that discovery algorithm. This is great for reaching new people, but it also means you’ve got to work extra hard to turn those viewers into actual engaged followers.
Instagram takes a multi-layered approach. While they’ve definitely moved into discovery with Reels and Explore, their core feed still puts a lot of weight on relationships and engagement history. When someone regularly interacts with your content, Instagram is more likely to keep showing them your posts. Both platforms actually remember user interactions, just in different ways for different features.
Why does this matter right now? With the uncertainty around TikTok, it’s a good reminder that we need to think strategically about our social media presence. It’s not that TikTok creators would completely lose their audience if something happened - many creators successfully move their followers across platforms. But it does take work.
This brings me to what’s really important - your relationship strategy.
No matter what platform you’re using, you need to think about:
How are you building real connections? Each platform has different tools for this - whether it’s connecting in DMs, Instagram’s close friends features, TikTok’s live sessions, or just good old-fashioned comment conversations.
Are you using these tools effectively?
What unique value are you offering? Your content needs to stand out and genuinely help your audience.Most importantly - how are you turning those initial connections into lasting relationships? It’s not just about going viral or getting discovered - it’s about giving people a reason to stick around and engage with you regularly.
The key is understanding that while each platform has its strengths, your success isn’t just about mastering algorithms - it’s about building genuine connections that can move with you across platforms.
