Why the Algorithm Is Ignoring Your Videos

If your followers aren't seeing your Instagram Reels, and strangers aren't sharing your TikToks, read this.

If your video is only being seen by one hundred people, it's not because the algorithm hates you.

And no, you're not shadowbanned.

It's because your content SUCKS!

Okay, maybe it doesn't suck. Quite likely, it's been put together well and you're using your creative skills.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN ANYONE IS GOING TO CARE ABOUT IT!

It used to be about follower count. If you had 10,000 followers, that meant thousands would see your stuff.

But now, followers are irrelevant.

Nobody has time for average. Nobody has room to be bored.

If your video moves people, they'll hit like.

If the video really grabs them, they'll share it.

If the video outrages them, they'll leave a comment.

They'll even come back to the comments to argue, and then they'll stick around for days.

But if you think they'll watch the video because you have a lot of followers, then you don't understand the internet in 2025.

It's EASY to say the algorithm is to blame. Super simple to say: Instagram is screwing me! Tiktok is hiding my stuff!

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

No, your work is not grabbing people.

If it's great, it gets shared.

If it's unique, people will debate it and argue about it.

This is true for comedy sketches, true for political debate, true for cat videos.

Don't be annoyed about how content works in this day and age. Be excited - because if you truly nail something that resonates, it will spread.

The three most recent videos on my Instagram:

One has 30,000 views.

Another has 300,000.

And the other one has 14.9 million views.

Did you the algorithm screw me on the one with the least views?

No, it just wasn't good enough. It didn't grip people.

The one that is nearly at 15 million, it got people talking. I've had to file 50 copyright infringement notices because people keep posting it on their own accounts. This is a sign I did my job, I made something that connects.

When it doesn't connect, the fault is not with the algorithm. If you blame the social media company then you're not taking accountability for your own work.

Take responsibility for your content. Be the one who makes sure it's worth watching.

Worth sharing.

Worth arguing about.

The algorithm loves you when you truly show up. When you're willing to provide value, originality, humour, and skill.