If you have read our article about 8 main changes in the algorithms of VK, Telegram, and Instagram*, you already know: likes no longer work. Now algorithms look at retention, originality, and behavioral signals. Those who have adapted receive stable reach. Those who haven't struggle for every view.
This article presents 25 specific actions that will help you adapt to the new algorithms. We have divided them into four blocks: VK, Telegram, Instagram*, and cross-platform steps. Start with 5–7 points to adapt from scratch to the new social media realities.
VK: 8 actions to get out of "relax mode"
VK switched to a "smart feed," where likes have taken a back seat. The algorithm analyzes retention time, read-throughs, saves, and engagement speed in the first hours.
- Check if the account is in "relax mode"
Look at the reach in the first hours after publication for the last 5 posts. If it's consistently below 30% of the average—the content fails the test distribution.
Example:
You usually publish posts around 6:00 PM, with an average reach of 5,000 views in 24 hours. Check the statistics: if in the first 4–6 hours the post receives less than 1,500 views (30% of 5,000), it means it's "stuck" in the buffer. The algorithm does not see enough engagement and does not launch the second wave.
What to do:
- Try changing the format: if it was text + photo, make a short 15–30 sec video.
- Test another time: publish the same post at 12:00 PM or 8:00 PM and compare the reach of the first hours.
If after 3–5 tests the reach of the first hours does not increase—the problem is not with the timing, but with the format or headline. Try more personal, emotional posts: stories of failures, analysis of mistakes, checklists with personal experiences.
- Add a "hook" in the first 2 lines of the post
The algorithm scans the beginning of the text for engaging elements. Use a question, intrigue, or personal experience: "Did you know that...", "Yesterday, I messed up with the contractor—here’s what I learned", "3 mistakes I made when launching."
- Increase the share of original content to 70%+
Reposts and aggregations now receive less reach. Even for other people's news, add personal comments, analysis, or forecasts. Original content receives priority in recommendations.
What to do:
- Instead of a pure news repost, write: "Here's what I think about this...", "How this will affect your strategy...", "3 takeaways for small business."
- Add a personal case: "We faced this 2 months ago—here's how we solved it."
- Do analysis: "News + your analysis + forecast for 3–6 months."
Even 2–3 sentences of personal opinion turn a repost into original content. The algorithm sees uniqueness and increases reach. Aim for balance: 70% original (your posts, cases, analyses), 30%—reposts with comments.
- Test 2–3 video formats per week
VK loves long videos that are watched to the end. Try vertical 15–30 sec, horizontal 1–3 min, carousels with short clips. See which format gives the best retention.
- Post in "activity windows" of the audience
Check community statistics, find 2–3 peak times. Experiment with posting 30 minutes before the peak. Timing has become less critical, but evening hours (4:00 PM–9:00 PM) on Tuesday–Thursday and Sunday still work.
- Add a call to action at the end of the post
Not "like", but "write in the comments how you...", "mention a friend who would find this useful." Long comments and dialogues under the post are a strong signal for the algorithm.
- Enable comment notifications and respond in the first 2 hours
Early reactions influence the second wave of reach. If a post is "stuck" in the first 4–6 hours—it's normal for "relax mode." But replying to comments in the first 2 hours helps launch the second wave.
Postmypost gathers comments in a single window, so you don't have to switch between apps. For typical questions ("Where to buy?", "How much does it cost?", "Is there delivery?"), prepare response templates. This saves time and helps reply in the first minutes.
If a user asks a detailed question or expresses emotion—switch to a personal response. In Postmypost, it’s done in one click: choose a comment and respond on behalf of the account. The algorithm sees live communication and increases reach.
- Once a week, conduct a "debriefing"
Look at the top 3 and worst 3 posts of the week. Look for patterns: which format, timing, headline, visual worked better. In VK statistics, it's useful to view the graph of views over time.
Telegram: 8 actions for growth in recommendations
Telegram updated its recommendation algorithm in the "What to read" and search sections. Channels with a high percentage of read-throughs, forwards, and paid interactions receive priority.
- Set up AI summaries for long reads
If posts are longer than 1000 characters, add a short summary at the beginning. This increases the % of read-throughs—a key metric for recommendations. Telegram automatically generates AI summaries, but you can make them more accurate with the help of Postmypost AI.
- Add buttons under posts
"Read more", "Download checklist", "Go to bot". Buttons increase interaction depth—the user clicks and doesn't just scroll. This is a quality signal for the algorithm.
More on this topic—in the article " Buttons in Telegram posts: how to turn a publication into instant sales"
- Launch a series of polls or votes
1–2 times a week. The algorithm considers reactions as a quality signal. Polls also increase engagement and provide audience feedback.
- Check the ratio of free to paid content (if using Stars)
No more than 20–30% of posts for Stars, otherwise organic might sink. Paid interactions positively influence the engagement ranking, but balance is critically important.
- Add visuals to every post
Even to text ones. Photo, gif, screenshot—anything. Posts without media receive fewer forwards. Visuals stop scrolling and increase dwell time.
- Use hashtags only for navigation within the channel
1–3 relevant tags, no more. Tag spam reduces the algorithm’s trust. Hashtags should help subscribers find categories, not attract a random audience.
- Set up forwarding of the best posts to other channels/chats
Cross-promotion within your ecosystem. Forwarding is a strong signal for recommendations. If a post is forwarded, the algorithm sees its value and promotes it in "What to read".
- Enable statistics by subscription sources
See where new subscribers are coming from (search, recommendations, forwards). Strengthen working channels. If growth comes from recommendations—create more content that gets forwarded.
Instagram*: 8 actions to get into recommendations
Meta actively fights aggregators and TikTok reposts. Original content gets priority in recommendations.
- Switch to Reels as the main format
3–5 short videos per week (8–25 sec). The algorithm promotes vertical videos. A 15–30 second Reel with high watch-through beats viral but with low retention.
- Add text to the Reels cover
The first 3 seconds should grab with a headline or question. A visual hook without introductions is a mandatory condition for high retention.
Examples:
- "How I saved 15,000 ₽ on repairs"
- "Stop doing this at home—here's what happens"
If the viewer didn't get hooked in the first 3 seconds—they swiped. Test different headlines and visual hooks, check analytics for which Reels are watched to the end.
In Postmypost, you can plan Reels in advance and adapt covers for different platforms.
- Use trending sounds but adapt to the niche
Not just dances, but "trend + benefit". For example, a trending sound + a tip on the topic. This increases the chances of getting into recommendations.
- Post Stories with interactives daily
Polls, quizzes, questions, sliders. This increases retention and engagement signals. Stories with interactives get more views and hold attention longer.
- Add "anchor" Stories at the start of the day
The first slide should have a question or intrigue so the viewer watches to the end. This increases overall retention and signals the algorithm about content quality.
- Check the Reels/photo/carousel ratio
If Reels are less than 50% of the content, gradually increase the share. Carousels up to 20 slides also work for deep engagement—use for guides and checklists.
- Reply to comments within the first 3 hours
Especially under Reels. Early reactions influence promotion in recommendations. Reply personally or use templates from Postmypost—the main thing is to be quick.
- Use Alt Text for photos
Describe images for accessibility. This is an indirect quality signal for the algorithm.
Cross-platform actions: 1 key step
- Set up unified analytics and a publication calendar
Algorithms have become more complex, and SMM managers have less time. Use Postmypost to see all metrics in one window, plan posts, and adapt content for each platform without manual work.
What this gives:
- Plan posts weeks and months ahead in a single visual calendar.
- Cross-posting—one post immediately on VK, Telegram, Instagram* with automatic format adaptation.
- AI assistant for generating texts, ideas, and images.
- Analytics for all platforms in one panel—see what works for retention and engagement.
- Teamwork with roles, approvals, and change history.
How to implement: a 2–4 week roadmap
Week 1: Implement points 1–5 (VK) + 9–11 (Telegram) + 17–19 (Instagram*). This is the base—hooks, originality, video, AI summaries, buttons, polls.
Week 2: Add points 6–8 (VK) + 12–14 (Telegram) + 20–22 (Instagram*). Focus on engagement, visual, balance of paid content.
Week 3–4: Fine-tune the remaining points. Start weekly "debriefings" as per point 8.
Conclusion
25 actions are not all at once, but a 2–4 week roadmap. The algorithms of 2026 are not a punishment but an opportunity to grow for those who create quality, useful content. They reward authors who truly solve audience problems and capture attention.
Use Postmypost as an assistant—a single calendar, autoposting in VK, Telegram, and Instagram*, AI content assistant, and analytics in one window. 7 days free without card binding—register now.
*Instagram is a product of Meta, recognized as an extremist organization in the territory of the Russian Federation.
