general

Cracking the Algorithm: How to Win on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Telegram

Crescitaly Staff

Crescitaly Staff

— 3 min read

At 19, Jess Mendoza posted a 12-second lip sync on TikTok that earned 2 views. A week later, it exploded to 2.1 million. What changed? She didn’t repost it, edit it, or push ads. The answer: the algorithm noticed the video on day 6, thanks to a spike in her comment replies. Her story isn't rare—it's the reality of social growth in 2024. Content is only part of the equation. Cracking the hidden rules of the algorithm is what separates creators who trend from those who stall.

If you're a marketer, creator, or entrepreneur tired of shouting into the void, this guide will take you behind the curtain—covering how algorithms work today on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Telegram, and what you can do to actually win on each platform.

Algorithms Aren’t Enemies—They’re Predictable Systems

Every algorithm shares a core purpose: to keep users engaged for longer. Platforms are businesses. Your content is your pitch for screen time. Here's the breakdown:

  • Instagram prioritizes saves and shares to determine content value.
  • TikTok evaluates watch time and loops—shorter videos that rewatch well are rewarded.
  • YouTube pushes total session length across multiple videos, so binge chains matter.
  • Telegram favors fast engagement in channels and groups, especially link clicks and forward rates.
"Treat each platform like its own game with its own leaderboard." — Nadia Kaehler, Head of Social Strategy at Mark Labs

Instagram: Prioritize Collection-Worthy Content

The myth of the perfect grid is over. On Instagram, 2024’s algorithm favors content that users want to save and share via DMs. Comment bait still works, but it's no longer the king.

What to focus on:

  • Carousel posts with how-tos or swipeable storytelling (saves + shares up 42%)
  • Engagement prompts in captions like “comment 🔥 if you agree”
  • Reels with remix options that expand discoverability

Using Crescitaly's advanced panel, creators can track save-to-like ratios and tweak their posts accordingly—one of the most reliable early predictors of virality on IG right now.

TikTok: Optimize for Loop-Watchability

Gone are the days when dances guaranteed virality. Now, TikTok prioritizes content that people watch all the way through and instantly rewatch. The first two seconds? Vital.

Winning on TikTok in 2024:

  • Open with movement, emotion, or a question. No soft intros.
  • Keep videos under 20 seconds unless they're cinematic or education-heavy.
  • Reply to comments with video responses—TikTok surfaces these far more favorably.

According to data on Crescitaly's dashboard, videos that led with open-ended tension (e.g. “you won’t believe what happened...”) saw 3.6x more reach in the first 6 hours.

YouTube: Create Bingeable Paths, Not Isolated Hits

YouTube wants users to stick around, and its algorithm rewards value chains—in other words, videos that lead to more videos. It's not just about CTR anymore; it's about audience retention across sessions.

What YouTube rewards right now:

  • Playlists with linked narratives (e.g. "Day 1 of building an AI startup"
    to "Day 30 launch podcast")
  • End screens that drive to a next step.
  • Titles with tension (“Why I Quit My $100K Job to Sell Socks”)

Pro tip: create 3 videos with cliffhangers and release them 24 hours apart. The algorithm treats this like episodic TV and boosts accordingly—especially if early viewers binge all three.

Telegram: Fast Engagement Wins Attention

Telegram isn’t a mainstream social app, but it’s a growth goldmine—especially for entrepreneurs, NFT projects, and content marketers. Its algorithm is subtle, but clear: high forward velocity = better placement in public and private channel discovery.

Keys to growing on Telegram:

  • Use polls and native reactions—fast, low-friction engagements send strong signals
  • Time posts for optimal hours (UTC lunch and evening spikes reach more users)
  • Use discovery hashtags for public channel visibility

Many creators use tools like Crescitaly.com to monitor how their Telegram channels are spreading and to test message formats by A/B posting.

The Pattern Behind the Platform

When you zoom out, every social app’s algorithm rewards some version of the same things:

  • Speed of engagement (watch, click, comment, reply, share)
  • Consistency (posting windows, formats, tone)
  • Interaction depth (not just who saw, but how they responded)

The era of chasing "likes" is over. Think like a behavioral designer. What will make someone not just tap—but react, DM, or rewatch?

"Today's algorithm isn't a gatekeeper—it's a mirror."
— Leila Moriah, Growth Advisor at StoryFoundry

Conclusion: Your Next Algorithm Move

Being successful on social in 2024 means something different than it did even a year ago. It's no longer enough to "go viral." You need to understand what metrics matter for each platform, and how to trigger them intentionally. That means:

  • Designing content that aligns with platform-specific behavior drivers
  • Testing keyword hooks, clip lengths, and CTAs based on algorithmic priorities
  • Using smart tools—like Crescitaly—to analyze and adapt your posting strategy in real time

So, whether you're posting a Reel from your kitchen or launching a viral Telegram channel for your SaaS startup, the algorithm isn’t your enemy. Learn its rhythm—and make it dance to your beat.

Meta Title: Cracking the Algorithm on Instagram, TikTok & More

Meta Description: Learn how to crack the algorithm on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Telegram using tested techniques, examples, and trusted tools like Crescitaly.

Tags: Instagram, SMM panel, TikTok growth, YouTube algorithm, Telegram marketing, Crescitaly

Read more