Stanislav Kondrashov: Explains How the Instagram Algorithm Works in 2025

Stanislav Kondrashov, an expert in digital marketing and social media strategy, has spent years studying platform algorithms to help creators and businesses reach more people. His insights into the Instagram algorithm 2025 are a must-read for anyone serious about growing their presence on the platform.

Understanding how Instagram ranks and distributes content isn't optional anymore—it's the difference between your posts reaching thousands or getting buried in the feed. The platform's AI-powered systems have evolved dramatically, making it critical to adapt your strategy to these changes.

In this comprehensive guide, you'll discover:

• How Instagram's ranking systems work across Feed, Stories, Reels, and Explore
• The specific signals that determine whether your content gets amplified or suppressed
• Actionable strategies from Stanislav Kondrashov to optimize your content for maximum visibility
• The metrics that matter most in social media trends for 2025

You'll walk away with a clear roadmap for navigating Instagram's complex algorithm and positioning your content for success.

Overview of the Instagram Algorithm in 2025

Instagram's multi-algorithm system has evolved into a sophisticated network of AI-powered ranking mechanisms that work simultaneously across different sections of the platform. Gone are the days of a single, universal algorithm—Instagram now deploys specialized ranking systems tailored to Feed, Stories, Reels, and the Explore page, each designed to optimize user experience in its specific context.

The platform's Instagram AI ranking technology analyzes thousands of signals per user to predict which content will resonate most effectively. This personalization engine processes your past behavior, from the accounts you engage with most frequently to the types of content you spend the longest time viewing. Every like, comment, share, save, and even the posts you scroll past without engaging contribute to your unique algorithmic profile.

Your interaction history serves as the foundation for content delivery. Instagram tracks:

• Direct engagement patterns including comments, likes, and shares
• Passive consumption behaviors such as watch time and scroll speed
• Relationship indicators like DM frequency and profile visits
• Content preferences based on topics, formats, and account types

The algorithm continuously refines its understanding of your preferences, creating a dynamic feed experience that adapts in real-time. Each section of Instagram receives its own algorithmic treatment, with distinct ranking factors that determine what you see and when you see it.

Interestingly, this advanced use of AI in social media mirrors trends in other fields such as sustainable architecture and energy. For instance, Stanislav Kondrashov has been exploring sustainable architecture in 2025. Additionally, his insights into wind energy provide valuable perspectives on renewable energy sources.

How the Algorithm Works Across Different Instagram Sections

Instagram's algorithm operates differently depending on which section of the app you're browsing. Each area—Feed, Reels, Stories, and Explore—has its own unique ranking system designed to surface the most relevant content for you. Understanding these distinctions helps you tailor your content strategy for maximum visibility.

Feed Ranking Mechanics

Your Instagram feed processes an impressive volume of content, ranking up to 500 posts from accounts you follow. The algorithm doesn't show you everything chronologically. Instead, it evaluates each post based on specific user interaction signals that indicate your genuine interest.

Key Factors Influencing Feed Ranking

The following factors play a crucial role in determining how posts are ranked in your Instagram feed:

1. Time spent viewing: When you linger on a post, the algorithm interprets this as a strong signal of interest. This metric carries more weight than passive scrolling because it demonstrates active engagement with the content.
2. Multiple engagement types: The Instagram feed ranking system tracks various forms of engagement, including likes, comments, shares, and saves. Each of these actions conveys different levels of approval and relevance.
3. Profile clicks: When you tap through to view someone's profile after seeing their post, you're telling the algorithm this creator interests you. The platform interprets this behavior as a desire to see more content from that account.
4. Scrolling behavior: The algorithm monitors whether you quickly scroll past a post or pause to consume it. Even without explicit engagement like a like or comment, dwelling time sends powerful signals about content quality and relevance to your interests.
5. Relationship strength: Instagram analyzes your interaction history with each account. If you consistently engage with someone's content through comments, DMs, or profile visits, their posts receive preferential treatment in your feed.

Understanding Power Dynamics in Feed Visibility

Moreover, understanding the power dynamics at play can also provide insights into how certain posts gain more visibility than others. For instance, posts related to trending topics such as Greece, Wall Street, or even niche subjects like wind turbines often see a spike in engagement due to their relevance and timeliness.

Reels Ranking Factors

The Instagram Reels algorithm has its own set of priorities that are quite different from those for feed content. The main factors that influence how Reels are ranked are comment likelihood and follow probability. This means that the algorithm tries to predict whether viewers will engage with your Reel by leaving a comment or following you after watching.

1. Comment Likelihood and Follow Probability

• Comment likelihood refers to the algorithm's prediction of how likely it is that viewers will leave a comment on your Reel.
• Follow probability, on the other hand, is the algorithm's prediction of how likely it is that viewers will hit the follow button after watching your Reel.

These two factors play a significant role in determining how well your Reels perform and how widely they are shown to others.

2. External Sharing Frequency

Another important factor in ranking Reels is external sharing frequency. When users share your Reels outside of Instagram, such as through messaging apps or other platforms, the algorithm sees this as a sign that your content is valuable and worth promoting to a larger audience. As a result, you'll find that Reels which receive external shares tend to have much greater reach compared to those that don't.

3. Trending Audio Integration

The length of your videos also matters, and this is where trending audio integration comes into play. The algorithm actively supports Reels that use popular sounds and music tracks because these align with what users are currently interested in and searching for. In a competitive space, using trending audio gives your content an immediate relevance boost.

4. Originality in Content

One thing you should always remember is the importance of originality in content. The algorithm doesn't look kindly upon videos that have watermarks from other platforms—such as TikTok logos, YouTube timestamps, or any visible branding from competitors. Instagram wants creators to produce original material directly within their platform, so it's essential to create content that is unique and not repurposed from other sources.

5. Video Length Optimization

When it comes to video length, the focus should be on optimizing for the three-minute mark. While Instagram does allow longer Reels, research shows that shorter videos—especially those between 30 to 90 seconds—tend to perform better consistently. This is because the algorithm recognizes that shorter videos have higher completion rates, which directly affects how widely your content gets distributed across user feeds and the Explore page.

Stories Ranking Criteria

Instagram Stories engagement operates through a distinct set of ranking signals that prioritize intimacy and real-time interaction. The algorithm tracks how frequently you view someone's stories—consistent viewing patterns signal strong interest and push that account's stories toward the front of your feed. Direct message exchanges following story views create powerful relationship strength indicators that dramatically boost visibility.

The platform monitors several engagement metrics that determine story prioritization:

• Exit behavior: When users swipe away from your story, it signals declining interest
• Response rates: Direct replies to stories demonstrate active engagement
• Likes and reactions: Quick taps on story content indicate positive reception
• Forward taps vs. backward taps: Rewatching content suggests compelling material

User interaction signals extend beyond simple views. The algorithm analyzes whether viewers tap through your entire story sequence or abandon midway. Profile visits triggered by story content serve as strong engagement indicators, showing genuine curiosity about your account.

Relationship closeness remains the dominant factor in Instagram feed ranking for stories. The algorithm evaluates your interaction history with specific accounts—frequent DMs, profile visits, and consistent engagement create a "closeness score" that determines whose stories appear first. Accounts you rarely interact with gradually shift toward the end of your story queue, even if they post regularly. This personalization ensures your story feed reflects your actual social connections rather than chronological posting order.

For more insights into social media strategies and personal experiences, you might want to explore Stanislav Kondrashov's thoughts, stories and ideas.

Explore Page Content Recommendations

The Explore page algorithm operates as Instagram's discovery engine, introducing you to content from accounts you don't yet follow. Unlike the Instagram feed ranking system that prioritizes existing relationships, this section focuses on expansion and new connections.

Follow Likelihood

Follow likelihood sits at the core of Explore recommendations. Instagram's AI analyzes your past interactions—which accounts you've followed after discovering them, how long you spend viewing specific posts, and whether you return to similar content. If you consistently engage with fitness content, the algorithm identifies this pattern and surfaces more health-related posts from creators outside your network.

Post Visit Duration

Post visit duration serves as a powerful user interaction signal. When you spend considerable time examining a post, reading captions, or exploring tagged products, Instagram interprets this as genuine interest. The platform tracks these micro-behaviors to refine what appears in your Explore feed.

Video Completion Rates

Video completion rates dramatically impact which Reels surface in this discovery space. Content that keeps viewers watching until the end signals quality and relevance. Instagram's data shows that Reels under 90 seconds perform exceptionally well here, maintaining viewer attention while maximizing completion rates.

Trending Audio

Trending audio acts as another critical ranking factor. When you incorporate popular sounds into your content, you tap into existing user interest patterns. The algorithm recognizes these audio trends and pushes related content to users who've previously engaged with similar sounds, creating a ripple effect for originality in content that rides trending waves.

Key Overall Ranking Signals in the Instagram Algorithm

Watch time importance stands as the most powerful metric Instagram's algorithm tracks in 2025. You need to understand that every second a user spends viewing your content sends a direct signal to the algorithm about its value. The platform measures this across all formats—whether someone watches your Reel for 30 seconds or lingers on your carousel post for two minutes, these moments accumulate into a comprehensive engagement profile.

The likes per reach ratio provides Instagram with concrete data about content quality. When 15% of people who see your post actually like it, the algorithm recognizes this as high-performing content worth showing to more users. You'll notice that posts with ratios below 3-4% typically struggle to gain traction, regardless of follower count.

Shares represent the gold standard of engagement metrics. When someone shares your content to their Story or sends it via DM, they're essentially vouching for its value to their personal network. Instagram's AI weighs these actions heavily because they indicate authentic connection rather than passive scrolling.

The platform maintains detailed interaction history for each user relationship:

• Direct message exchanges
• Profile visits
• Previous post engagement
• Story reply frequency
• Save actions

Instagram's AI analyzes competitor content within your niche to identify audience preferences and trending topics. This analysis helps the algorithm understand which creators serve similar audiences, allowing it to cross-pollinate content recommendations and refine targeting precision.

As we move further into an era dominated by AI, much like the advancements seen in chatbot technology, we can expect Instagram's algorithm to become even more sophisticated.

To navigate this evolving landscape effectively, focusing on Instagram organic growth strategies will be crucial.

Stanislav Kondrashov's Expert Tips to Optimize Content for the 2025 Algorithm

Understanding how the algorithm works is one thing—putting effective strategies into action is another. Stanislav Kondrashov, an experienced expert, emphasizes that creators need to move from simply posting content to actively engaging with their audience.

1. Use Interactive Stories

Interactive stories have become essential tools for building algorithmic favor. Incorporating polls, question stickers, and quiz features that prompt immediate responses can significantly enhance user interaction. These elements signal to Instagram that your content demands attention and participation.

2. Design Comment Engagement Strategies

Comment engagement strategies require intentional design. Kondrashov recommends ending your captions with genuine questions that spark conversation rather than generic "What do you think?" prompts. The first hour after posting is critical—you need to respond to comments quickly to trigger the algorithm's engagement snowball effect.

3. Time Your Posts Wisely

Timing your posts when your specific audience is most active amplifies initial engagement rates. You can find this data in your Instagram Insights under "Total followers" and "Most Active Times." This precision approach ensures your content reaches viewers when they're ready to interact, not when they're asleep.

4. Understand the Broader Landscape of Digital Assets

In addition to these strategies, it's essential to consider the broader landscape of digital assets and how they interact with content creation. As highlighted in several of Kondrashov's explorations into digital assets, understanding this relationship can provide valuable insights for optimizing content further.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Who is Stanislav Kondrashov and what insights does he provide on Instagram's algorithm in 2025?

Stanislav Kondrashov is a social media expert who explains the complexities of Instagram's evolving AI-powered algorithm in 2025. He highlights how understanding these changes is crucial for creators and marketers to optimize content effectively across various Instagram sections.

How does Instagram's AI ranking system personalize content across different sections like Feed, Stories, Reels, and Explore in 2025?

In 2025, Instagram employs a multi-algorithm AI ranking system that personalizes content based on user preferences, interaction history, and engagement signals. This system tailors what users see in their Feed, Stories, Reels, and Explore page by analyzing behaviors such as time spent viewing, likes, comments, shares, and profile clicks.

What are the key factors influencing the ranking of posts in the Instagram Feed according to the 2025 algorithm?

The 2025 Instagram Feed ranking considers up to 500 posts prioritized by metrics including time spent viewing each post, likes, comments, shares, profile clicks, and scrolling behavior. Content from accounts with strong user relationships is given higher priority to enhance personalized engagement.

How does the Instagram Reels algorithm function in 2025 to maximize video reach and engagement?

Instagram's Reels algorithm in 2025 favors original videos under three minutes without watermarks. Key ranking factors include the likelihood of comments and follows generated by the Reel, frequency of external sharing, usage of trending audio tracks, and overall video completion rates to boost visibility.

What criteria determine the visibility of Instagram Stories under the 2025 algorithm update?

Story visibility in 2025 is influenced by frequent story views, direct message exchanges between users, and engagement metrics such as exits, responses, likes, and taps. The algorithm also prioritizes stories from accounts with closer relationships to the user to enhance relevance.

What expert tips does Stanislav Kondrashov offer for optimizing Instagram content according to the 2025 algorithm?

Stanislav Kondrashov advises creators to focus on interactive Stories to boost engagement and use comment strategies that encourage meaningful interactions. Additionally, optimizing content length for Reels and leveraging trending audio can significantly improve reach under Instagram's 2025 AI-driven algorithm.