Every platform has changed. Again.

If you’ve noticed your posts are performing differently, even disappearing into the void, you’re not alone. In 2025, the changes in the digital terrain were dramatically affected by AI, and now the platforms are rapidly catching up, and it’s time to understand what’s happening beneath the surface. Because when you know how the algorithm works, you stop chasing likes and start charting a real course.

Welcome to the first installment of our 2026 strategy foundation: Algorithm Literacy. This is where we begin the pivot—from passive posting to purposeful presence.

Why Algorithm Literacy Matters Now

The algorithm isn’t a villain. But it also isn’t your friend. Every major platform—Meta, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube—is designed to keep users scrolling. That means your content doesn’t just have to be good. It has to help the platform meet its goals, too. Each platform has its own set of criteria tailored to its core demographic. Instagram favors visual storytelling and short-form video for younger users, while LinkedIn leans into thought leadership and professional authority for B2B audiences. Understanding these nuances lets you craft content that aligns with both platform mechanics and user expectations.

Understanding that is the first step in navigating digital whitecaps. Because if you’re feeding the algorithm without a map, you’re not marketing. You’re drifting.

The 2026 Platform Shifts

Here’s what I’m seeing across accounts and industries:

• Completion rates over likes. On video-heavy platforms, algorithms are prioritizing how long people watch, not just whether they double-tap. You need to stop and hold the scroll.
• Saves and shares > comments. Deeper engagement signals are now weighted more heavily than surface-level interaction. This is time and resource heavy as well so you may need to decide if organic is worth it for your effort.
• AI-curated feeds love brand consistency. That means a recognizable voice, visual repetition, and messaging structure pay off. Users need to recognize your brand instantly, and so does the algorithm. Clarity, consistency, and a cohesive identity are non-negotiables in today's AI-driven content landscape. and AI needs the correct structure in order to point to you.
• Platform-native tools get pushed. Reels, Shorts, LinkedIn Articles, and TikTok Stories are getting top billing. External links? Not so much. If you need an external link, then a paid connected ad is the only way to go.

What to Do About It

Let’s be practical. Here are five strategic actions to take now:

1. Audit your top performers. Identify what’s earning watch time, saves, or shares. What’s working—and what’s just noise?
2. Use clear, intentional hooks. Especially in short-form video, the first 2 seconds matter more than ever.
3. Post with conversation in mind. Ask questions. Prompt response. Encourage meaningful interaction.
4. Match message to format. That educational quote? Try it as a Reel or a carousel. Don’t just copy-paste formats.
5. Stay consistent, not constant. Repetition and clarity are more powerful than frequency alone.

What This Means in Tahoe-Truckee

Locally, the stakes are different. We’re dealing with seasonal surges, weekend visitors, and mobile-first discovery. That means:

• Geo-specific language (mentioning trails, ski conditions, or lake weather) gives you algorithmic edge.
• Brand visuals need consistency. If your visuals change weekly, you’re resetting your brand recognition every time.
• Schedule to scroll-time. Think Friday afternoons, weekend mornings—those key windows when tourists are planning in real-time. In the past, running one ad 24/7 might have worked. Now, to meet users in their decision moments, you need at least three ads scheduled, targeted by opportunity window, time of day, and moment of need.

Get To The Surface

2026 is not about chasing trends. It’s about clarity. This year, your job is to steer, not just show up.

Algorithm literacy doesn’t mean obsessing over every tweak. It means understanding the system enough to stop guessing. It means aligning your brand message with platform behavior. And it means showing up with intention, not just frequency.

Stay tuned for the next installment in this series: Brand Systems, how to move beyond the post and build a content engine that sustains.

Until then, ask yourself:

• Is your content navigating or drifting?
• Are you feeding the algorithm—or leading with strategy?

If there is a topic you’d like to hear more about, by all means comment below or direct message, and I’ll do my best.

Nothing better than a good question to jump into.

Reach out for a talk over coffee or a hike. tgold@bigwaterci.com

Comment below or share.

Trina Gold

Master Creator

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