Ever wondered why Virat Kohli liking Avneet Kaur’s post popped up before your best friend’s selfie? The Instagram algorithm—or rather, its AI-powered ranking system in 2025—is the reason why.
This blog uncovers everything about how Instagram’s smart AI decides what shows up on your feed, with real examples, like viral celeb interactions.
Contents
What is the Instagram Algorithm in 2025?
Instagram has ditched the old “algorithm” concept and embraced AI content ranking. It studies your actions—likes, views, clicks, scrolls—and builds a feed that it knows you’ll enjoy.
| Old Algorithm | 2025 AI System |
|---|---|
| Static rules | Learns and adapts to you |
| Limited personalization | Fully customized experience |
| Like/comment heavy | Adds scroll & profile behavior |
Why Celebrity Likes Appear First in Feed?
Let’s decode the magic of Instagram’s feed:
If you’ve seen something like Virat Kohli liking Avneet Kaur’s post, it’s because:
- You engage with cricket or celeb news
- Their content is being reshared widely
- You or friends interacted with similar posts
- Instagram predicts it will hold your attention
Instagram Ranking Factors in 2025
⏳ Watch Time: Do you stay on the post for over 10 seconds?
👀 Profile Clicks: Do you check the creator’s profile often?
💬 Comment Clicks: Did you tap to view or leave a comment?
🔁 Reshares: Have you (or many users) shared the post?
📉 Scroll History: How quickly do you skip posts?
📹 Content Type Preferences: Do you favor Reels, images, or carousels?
Connected vs Unconnected Reach
| Reach Type | Audience | Signals That Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Connected | Your followers | Engagement, likes, saves |
| Unconnected | New users (Explore, Reels) | Shares, video views, saves |
What Gets Downranked?
Avoid these if you want to rank higher:
- Community Guideline violations
- Clickbait (“Like this or bad luck”)
- Poor image quality or no captions
- Low engagement posts with bounce rates
How to Improve Your Instagram Ranking (2025 Tips)
| What to Do | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Post when followers are active | Maximizes reach |
| Ask questions in captions | Boosts comments |
| Share behind-the-scenes content | Increases watch time |
| Use viral yet niche hashtags | Boosts discoverability |
| Track your insights weekly | Know what’s working |
Final Thoughts: You Control the Scroll
Instagram’s AI in 2025 is smarter than ever — but also more predictable. If your content is authentic, engaging, and consistent, the algorithm will work for you.
So yes, Virat liking Avneet’s pic may trend… but so can your post, with the right signals.
Explore our blog articles on communication and media studies and social media and digital strategies here!
Disclaimer: This article uses public figures’ names (e.g., Virat Kohli, Avneet Kaur) strictly for educational and illustrative purposes in discussing social media algorithms. No endorsement or factual interaction is claimed unless publicly available. All opinions are for general informational purposes.
