What's Coming in 2026: Algorithms You Can Edit

In the history of the Internet, search engines, and social media, algorithms have shaped much of what we see, how we see it, how many times, and when, informing how we behave online. When you engage in search engine optimization (SEO) and PPC marketing or even social media management, your digital marketing agency is making optimizations and updates to align with the most modern version of these complex algorithms. However, for most of the time that they've existed, algorithms have been somewhat of a mystery, with some platforms being more secretive than others. As of 2026, we're seeing a change. Many platforms like Instagram and X are announcing more transparency or control within the algorithms, which can change the user experience and the best practices for optimizations. 

What is an Algorithm?

An algorithm is essentially a set of rules or a formula that a platform uses to decide what content is shown to which users. It's how the system filters through billions of posts, ads, videos, and web pages to serve what it thinks is most relevant to you.

On Google, the algorithm decides what results show up on the first page. On Instagram, it chooses which posts appear in your feed. On YouTube, it determines which video(s) are recommended to you next.

These algorithms are designed to keep users engaged, and generally, they reward content that appears valuable, engaging, or relevant. At Xi Digital, we have been studying and working with evolving algorithms online for decades to inform your strategies and help you scale your business. 

Here's what more algorithm clarity can mean for your website, marketing, and customers.

Customers Gain Control

As transparency increases, users will gain more control over what they see. Social media platforms have already been letting users filter out content, mute suggested topics, or prioritize specific creators. Now, Instagram has announced that it will be rolling out features that allow users to see the type of content that's being chosen for them with a simple click of a button. From a social media marketing and business perspective, this makes understanding your audience even more important. For improved performance, you'll need to understand the following: 

• What are your customers searching for? 
• What do they actively remove from their feeds? 
• And how do you create something they want to keep seeing?

When users can curate their own experience, the bar for relevance and value rises. Beyond just knowing what users want, your social media strategy will need to meet those expectations. At Xi Digital, our social media marketers can help you build a modern plan that is tailored to your target audience. 

How We Expect Users to Edit Social Feeds

With platforms offering more options for customizing feed preferences, experienced digital marketers suggest that users are expected to increasingly unfollow, mute, or deprioritize accounts and topics that feel repetitive, off-brand, boring or intrusive. That means businesses can't rely on frequency alone to stay visible. Brands that offer thoughtful, helpful, and timely content will continue to show up, not because the algorithm facilitates that, but because users choose to keep them around.

A frequently used social media strategy on Instagram and Facebook reels involved sharing extra short videos that forced viewers to replay to get the whole message. Or short videos and extended captions. These worked by creating high replay counts, but if they frustrate viewers, it could result in less visibility and prioritization. To fine tune your strategy, book a consultation with our experts at Xi Digital, a trusted digital marketing agency with over 20 years of experience.

More Competition Online

Transparency doesn't mean simplicity. With greater control comes more pressure on businesses to be strategic. If more content is competing for limited attention and users are filtering what they see, it's critical to understand how to stand out. Working with an experienced digital marketing agency ensures you're adapting to these changes with the right tools, messaging, and positioning.

Start Strong in 2026 with Xi Digital

Successful digital marketers don't just comply. The best digital marketing agencies anticipate and evolve with the times, the platforms and the algorithm. From SEO and Google Ads to Social Media Marketing and beyond, our team can help you win online.