Fooling or feeding the algorithm?
Updated On: 12 December, 2025 07:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Aastha Atray Banan
It’s a brutal battle to stay relevant on Instagram, and even more so to get noticed by the right audience. But, should we succumb to the algorithm asking for a sexy hook in lingerie, to up follower count?
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Some social media influencers use the algorithm’s bias for their own benefit. Representation Pic/Istock
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Last month, after I posed a snarky post about the atrocity that is the talk show called Two Much, hosted by Twinkle Khanna and Kajol, my follower count finally budged. It went up from 22,300 (where it had been since 2022) to 23,300, where it’s been sitting pretty since. And even though my account got six million views last month, it’s all quietened down now. My rant worked—because Indians love nothing better than bringing down Bollywood and its blatant nepotism and inherent bias — but the question was now what?
As a creator, engagement is paramount. But even if your content is smart, witty, life-altering wisdom, it can only touch people, if it reaches people. And that’s where we say hello to the algorithm. For me, a sore point has been to see content that is all about sound life advice on how to deal with family, society, life’s challenges — but the videos begin with/or are completely shot with the creator in his/her underwear or putting on clothes/or in a bikini. For example, a creator called Komal, who also is a life coach, talks about divorce, getting life back on track after a toxic relationship, being a single parent, not bending down to society (all pertinent subjects), but her videos sometimes open with her in a bra, putting on a t-shirt. And for a second, I am confused. Did this video need this hook?
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