Have you ever wondered why some Instagram stories appear first in your feed? Are there any special orders?
This article explains the order of Instagram stories’ appearance and tells you which stories appear first.
Do the Stories at the top of your feed belong to your secret admirers? Can Instagram tell who you are crushing on? Or are stories just listed chronologically?
There are many theories about the order you see Instagram stories; believe it or not, they might be more accurate than you think.
Let’s start exploring all the theories and then provide the most likely and accurate answer.
Who Sees Your Instagram Stories First? (Instagram Story Order)
Unlike your main feed, Instagram Stories shows viewers in a specific order, not just random! Of course, we have the presence of an Instagram story algorithm.
By swiping up on your active story, you can see a list of everyone who viewed it. While Instagram keeps the exact formula under wraps, the order is heavily influenced by how much you interact with certain followers. Instagram gets this information from story insights.
This interaction counts for both users. The more you like someone’s posts, comment on their content, and view their stories, the higher they appear on your viewer list. In other words, more interaction occurs in the first rows of the story section.
This makes sense. It shows Instagram who you engage with most and potentially who you care about seeing your stories.
ü Instagram for business
This story view order is especially important for businesses and marketers who rely on Instagram for success. Seeing who interacts with your stories first gives valuable insights into who your most engaged audience members might be.
This knowledge helps you build stronger relationships with these key and loyal followers, ultimately leading to better results on the platform.
Do Recent Followers See Your Instagram Story First?
Recent followers don’t automatically see your Instagram story first in the 2024 Instagram algorithm.
Here are the rules of the Instagram story order for recent followers on Instagram:
- First 50 Views: The order of the first 50 views on your story is chronological. This means the most recent user who viewed your story appears at the top.
- After 50 Views: Once you surpass 50 views, the order shifts to prioritize engagement. The Instagram users you interact with the most, through likes, comments, replies, and story views, will appear near the top.
So, while a recent follower might see your story if they are active and check it out quickly, it would only guarantee them a top spot based on something other than being new.
Consistent interaction is needed for such a situation!
So, does Instagram’s story order change based on engagement? The answer is yes. Engagement is the key to story orders and which story appears first.
Now, the question is how to make your Instagram story stand out. Let’s answer it in a separate section.
How To Get Your Instagram Story Seen by More Users?
If you want to always be at the top, here we are providing some ways to make your Instagram stories stand out and potentially be seen by more users, although there’s no guaranteed way to appear first in everyone’s feed since the algorithm prioritizes this matter by the engagement rate:
For your story to appear first on the feed, you can:
- Share engaging content on the story: eye-catching and high-quality photos and videos are important to get an engagement rate.
- Play with text and stickers: Add text overlays, questions, polls, and other interactive elements to keep viewers engaged and ask them to reply to your stories.
As you know, these are effective, but more is needed to get the engagement rate that the Instagram algorithm expects. Here, you can see how to increase your engagement rate.
- Boost engagement with storytelling and spark curiosity: Hook viewers by starting your story with a question, a teaser, or a behind-the-scenes glimpse. Make them see your stories from beginning to end.
- Tell a mini-narrative: Choose a clear beginning, middle, and end to your story for a satisfying viewing experience.
- Use humor or inspiration: Make people laugh, learn something new, or feel motivated with your stories.
Consistency on Instagram is another important way to increase engagement and consequently gain more views, likes, and attention.
Share stories strategically and consistently to always be on top:
- Maintain a regular posting schedule, and aim to post stories at least a few times daily to stay top-of-mind with your audience and appear first on the feed.
- Post during peak times: Find when your followers are most active and try to post stories during those hours.
- Engage with your viewers: To increase engagement, you must respond to comments, answer questions, and thank people for watching your stories.
And finally, if you want your story to appear first, remember to interact with the other followers.
By applying these tips and focusing on building genuine engagement, you can increase the chances of your Instagram stories being shown first and resonating with your audience, even if the exact order is not guaranteed.
In Closing Remarks
This article discussed the Instagram Story view order by Instagram algorithm. While the exact formula remains a secret, the emphasis on engagement is clear.
The only way you can be the one story always on top is by creating engaging stories and fostering interaction.
Do not think it is impossible! As you know, Instagram stories are a fantastic tool for connecting with your followers personally. So, have fun, experiment, and let your creativity shine!
The more you engage with your audience, the more likely they are to reply, pushing your stories to the first rows.
It is your turn to share the tips about keeping the Instagram story at the top. Add anything that we missed and start a conversation right away.
