TikTok vs. Instagram
What Business Owners Need to Know About the Algorithms
As a business owner, you don’t have time to waste. And if you’re creating content for both TikTok and Instagram, you might assume the same posts will perform the same way on both platforms.
They won’t.
The TikTok and Instagram algorithms are built differently - and knowing how they work can save you time, effort, and energy while increasing your visibility.
TikTok’s Algorithm
Entertainment Over Everything
TikTok rewards content that holds attention and sparks interest - whether or not you have followers.
Key signals that matter:
Watch time: Did people watch all the way through?
Replays: Did they rewatch it?
Shares, comments, likes: How much interaction did it spark?
Keywords in captions and text overlays
TikTok’s strength? It levels the playing field.
Even if you’re a brand-new account, your content can go viral if it resonates.
Instagram’s Algorithm:
Relationships and Consistency
Instagram is more relationship-driven. It prioritizes content from accounts people follow and engage with frequently.
Key signals that matter:
Engagement from your existing followers
Use of Instagram-native tools (Reels, Stories, Carousels)
Post timing and frequency
Saved posts and DMs
Instagram favors brands that show up consistently and keep their audience interested over time.
Why This Matters for Your Business
If you want fast growth, TikTok is your playground.
But if you want long-term brand loyalty, Instagram is your home base.
That doesn’t mean you need to choose one or the other - it means you need a strategy that treats each platform like its own world.
I help business owners craft content and ads that work with the algorithm - not against it. From short-form video editing to platform-specific strategy, I handle the execution so you can focus on running your business.
Don’t guess your way through growth. Let’s get your content seen by the people who need to see it - on the platforms that actually work for your brand.
