How can you prevent social media algorithm errors from damaging your brand?

1 Monitor your analytics

One of the best ways to detect and prevent social media algorithm errors is to monitor your analytics regularly. You should track your key metrics such as impressions, engagement, reach, and conversions, and compare them with your previous results and industry benchmarks. If you notice any sudden or significant drops or spikes, you might be dealing with an algorithm error. For example, if your reach or impressions plummet, it could mean that your content is not being shown to your audience as much as it should. Or if your engagement or conversions skyrocket, it could mean that your account is being targeted by bots or spammers.

2 Follow the guidelines

Another way to prevent social media algorithm errors is to follow the guidelines and best practices of each platform. You should familiarize yourself with the terms of service, community standards, and content policies of the social media networks you use, and avoid violating them. For example, you should not post spammy, misleading, or offensive content, use copyrighted or trademarked materials without permission, or engage in any fraudulent or deceptive activities. You should also respect the format, length, and frequency of your posts, and use relevant hashtags, keywords, and tags.

3 Appeal or report errors

Sometimes, social media algorithm errors are unavoidable and out of your control. In that case, you should appeal or report them as soon as possible. Most platforms have a process for appealing or reporting errors such as false flags, removals, suspensions, or bans. You should follow the instructions and provide evidence and explanation for your case. For example, if your post was removed for violating a policy, you should explain why it was not in violation and provide any supporting documents or links. Or if your account was hacked or impersonated, you should report it to the platform and change your password and security settings.

4 Communicate with your audience

Another tip to prevent social media algorithm errors from damaging your brand is to communicate with your audience and keep them informed. You should acknowledge any errors that affect your brand and explain how you are resolving them. You should also apologize for any inconvenience or confusion caused by the errors and thank your audience for their support and patience. For example, if your account was suspended or banned, you should post a message on your website or other channels and update your audience on the status of your appeal. Or if your posts were flagged or removed, you should repost them with a disclaimer or clarification.

5 Diversify your channels

Finally, one of the best ways to prevent social media algorithm errors from damaging your brand is to diversify your channels and not rely on one platform. You should have a presence on multiple social media networks and use them to reach different segments of your audience and achieve different goals. You should also have a website, a blog, an email list, or a podcast, where you can share your content and connect with your audience without depending on the algorithms. This way, you can reduce the risk of losing your visibility, reach, and reputation due to algorithm errors, and increase your resilience and adaptability.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?