How to Rank on the Reels Algorithm: Insider Tips for 2024

In January 2024, a relatively unknown creator named Mia Jenkins posted a 17-second video on Instagram Reels showing her apartment transformation. She had no followers, no hashtags, and no collaborations—but within 48 hours, she had 2.1 million views. The secret? An unspoken set of signals that make the Reels algorithm tick.

The Reels algorithm, used heavily on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, isn't random. It's precise, behavior-driven, and increasingly designed to favor authentic content signals over brute-force virality. If you're looking to consistently make your Reels rank—and convert those views into followers or sales—you need to understand how this system functions.

Understanding How the Reels Algorithm Works

The Reels algorithm is not a monolith; it’s an adaptive piece of code shaped by engagement signals, watch patterns, and profile behavior. Whether you’re on Instagram or TikTok, your content is evaluated within the first few minutes of being posted.

Key Ranking Factors

• Watch Time: Are users watching the full video or dropping off partway?
• Replays: Does the viewer rewatch it multiple times?
• Sharing Behavior: Are viewers sending it to friends?
• Interaction Depth: Are people commenting, liking, or saving your Reel?
• Account Activity: How often do you engage with your audience?

Instagram Head Adam Mosseri has repeatedly emphasized that Reels are shown to users who don’t already follow you. That means your content is walking into a room of strangers — and the first five seconds matter more than you think.

"It’s not about follower count; it's about engagement density in a short timeframe." — Crescitaly Growth Insights Report, 2024

What Top-Performing Reels on Instagram and TikTok Have in Common

If you analyze the top 1% of Reels, across niches from beauty to crypto, you’ll notice recurring patterns in format and execution:

• Hook Within 3 Seconds: A clear reason to keep watching, often posed as a question, surprise, or challenge
• Vertical, High-Quality Format: Shot in 9:16 with crisp visuals and adequate lighting
• Native Text/Graphics: Captions or on-screen text created within the platform
• Trending Audio: Leveraging sounds that are gaining momentum—but not yet saturated
• Call-to-Engagement: Subtle prompts like “Which one would you pick?” or “Send this to your best friend”

Using Crescitaly.com's advanced panel, marketers can track which sounds are surging on Reels before they go mainstream—a useful tactic to jump on discovery trends early.

Optimizing Reels on TikTok vs. Instagram

While both platforms use Reels-like formats, the algorithms differ in key ways. Let’s break it down:

Instagram Reels Prioritize Shareable, Polished Content

Instagram’s Reels are still rooted in the app’s curated aesthetic DNA. The algorithm often favors:

• Soft-edited visuals with clear focal design
• Audio synced with transitions
• Content shared in Stories (signal of value)

TikTok’s For You Page Prioritizes Entertainment and Authenticity

On TikTok, you’ll find that spontaneous, low-production content often dominates. The algorithm rewards:

• High watch-through rates, even with minimal editing
• Quirkiness and storytelling over aesthetics
• Frequent posting and niche consistency

Pro Tip: Don't cross-post exactly the same video between platforms. Tailor the first second or two to match the tone of the app you're publishing on.

The Technician's Checklist: How to Rank Consistently

Here’s a seven-step checklist you can integrate into your weekly content plan:

1. Use a Hook: Pose a question, show a problem, or create a curiosity gap.
2. Post Timing: Publish when your audience is active (use platform Insights or Crescitaly’s optimization dashboard).
3. Trending Audio: Choose sounds with a rising use curve, not ones that peaked last week.
4. Captions & Subtitles: Essential for silent autoplay viewers.
5. End Emotionally: Use humor, surprise, or intrigue to leave an impression.
6. Hashtags Smartly: Use 3–5 niche tags, not 30 random ones.
7. Track & Iterate: Use Crescitaly to monitor results and refine based on data.

Role of Telegram and YouTube Shorts in Reels Strategy

While Reels are native to Instagram and TikTok, marketers and creators are increasingly using Telegram channels and YouTube Shorts to amplify reach.

Telegram: The New Distribution Channel

Telegram channels allow creators to blast Reels links directly to niche audiences. When synchronized with release times and communities, this can spark initial engagement that impacts algorithm ranking.

Telegram-based engagement groups can also help organic posts gain momentum in their critical first hour—just be sure to stay within each platform’s terms.

YouTube Shorts: For Evergreen Reach

Unlike Instagram Reels, Shorts can surface weeks or even months after uploading. Repurposing Reels into Shorts allows creators to extend the lifespan of their content.

While the Shorts algorithm is still maturing, creators that consistently upload themed content (e.g., daily tips, short tutorials, product reveals) have seen significant traction.

Conclusion: Ranking Is Repeatable—If You're Strategic

Ranking on the Reels algorithm isn’t about going viral once—it’s about building a content system that works predictively. That system relies on observing trends, gathering data, and continuously improving your inputs.

Take a cue from experienced creators using Crescitaly's dashboard to identify high-leverage keywords, optimal post times, and trending sound alerts. With the landscape shifting fast and the algorithms evolving daily, the advantage will always go to those who merge creativity with consistent data-backed iteration.

In 2024, ranking on the Reels algorithm isn’t a lottery—it’s a discipline. One that’s fully within reach.