The moment you set out to build somthing-be it a business, a brand, or a community-you’re often met with a glimpse of the digital gods that control your fate. These gods come in the form of algorithms, those cryptic lines of code that dictate visibility, engagement, and ultimately, success. You’ve probably heard the mantra that “the algorithm doesn’t owe you anything.” ItS a sentiment that hits home harder than a three-day-old burrito when you’ve poured your heart and soul into your craft.
When I first started my journey, I fell hard for the idea that if I created something valuable, the universe (or rather, Instagram or TikTok) woudl just unfold it’s arms and shower my content with views and likes. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. I remember that pivotal night when I hit “publish” on what I thought was my magnum opus-a video filled with insights and personal anecdotes that I believed would resonate deeply.
I stared at my phone,watching those initial peaks-first a few likes,then a handful of comments. But after an hour, nothing. The silence cut deeper than I anticipated. I thought to myself, “But I worked so hard! Don’t they know?” And that’s when it hit me: I had placed the weight of my worth on the shoulders of an algorithm that couldn’t care less about my dedication.
If you’re in the game, you’ve probably had your own version of this experience. You’ve pushed content out ther only to be met with a deafening echo. Truth is,the algorithm doesn’t have feelings. It’s not sitting there analyzing the emotional weight of your content-it’s a function driven by engagement metrics and click-through rates. And here’s the kicker: it has no obligation to promote your hard work.
But instead of wallowing in that truth-or worse, throwing a tantrum about the unfairness of it all-let’s flip it on its head. What if you saw this as an possibility rather than a setback? Every time I felt let down by the algorithm, I used that energy to reassess, recalibrate, and improve. I had to embrace a lesson that’s become one of my guiding principles: make the algorithm your ally, not your master.
So what does that meen? It means shifting the focus from creating for the algorithm to creating for your people-your tribe. Imagine building a space where your audience feels heard, understood, and empowered. I started engaging with my followers more, hosting live sessions, asking for feedback, and genuinely caring about what they wanted. Occasionally, I’d toss out content I thought was clever enough-only to realize those posts bombed in engagement while others, that felt too casual, resonated widely. That’s the algorithm working-not against you, but as a reflection of your audience’s desires.
The crazy part? The algorithm becomes friendlier the more you connect with your audience. You pull them into your story, share your struggles, and offer solutions. That’s where real community begins-when your audience sees you not as another faceless creator, but as someone who’s human, raw, and relatable. The metrics will follow when you prioritize connection over clicks.
Now, let’s get real: the game is always changing. Platforms tweak their algorithms like I change coffee brands-constantly. What works one moment may crumble the next, and it’s easy to feel defeated. But let’s be honest: that’s the price of admission in this digital age. The only constant is the evolution of your mindset. Adapt. Pivot. When I stopped trying to predict what the algorithm wanted and instead honed in on what my audience craved, I felt more empowered, and the engagement started reflecting that shift.
Listen, I’ve had my fair share of flops. Content that I was proud of just didn’t land. It sucked, sure, but those moments taught me to embrace failure-not as a reflection of my abilities, but as feedback. Each perceived failure is a stepping stone to understanding your audience more deeply, creating content that aligns with their needs, and curating an engaged community that’s not just passive consumers but active participants.
As entrepreneurs, we tend to romanticize the grind and forget about the nuances of connection. The algorithm will never owe you a thing, but your audience? They owe you the chance to listen, to adjust, and to grow alongside them. Creating with purpose, prioritizing genuine connection, and learning from your audience will lead you to a place where the algorithms start to work in your favor.
So here’s my challenge to you: think less about the number of views and more about the quality of connections. build relationships that go beyond the screen, and watch how the algorithm responds-not as it feels obliged to, but because you’ve created something worth engaging with. Dive deep, stay authentic, and remember that while algorithms might run the show, it’s your human touch that can turn mere followers into a dedicated community.
You’ve got this. And no, the algorithm doesn’t owe you anything-but maybe that frees you up to create something truly remarkable.