How Social Media Algorithms Work for Arts Nonprofits

As an arts nonprofit, you want to increase visibility, attract donors, and engage your community.

But with social media constantly evolving, how do you ensure your content gets seen?

The answer: Understanding how social media algorithms work! These behind-the-scenes formulas determine which posts get prioritized in people’s feeds.

Each platform has different rules, but knowing what they prioritize will help you craft high-impact content that reaches the right audience. Here’s how LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram rank content—and how you can use these insights to your advantage.

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1. LinkedIn: Thought Leadership & Professional Engagement

✅ Prioritizes posts from accounts you interact with regularly. 

✅ Favors content with high engagement (likes, comments, shares). 

✅ Rewards long "dwell time" (how long people read your post).

Winning Strategy for Nonprofits: 

• Share behind-the-scenes insights—highlight your artistic process and community impact. 

• Encourage engagement—ask questions and start conversations. 

• Leverage your network—encourage staff, board members, and artists to interact with posts. 

• Publish LinkedIn articles—longer-form content builds thought leadership.

📌 Example Post: "Our latest exhibition explores the intersection of history and performance. What role do you think the arts play in shaping public memory?"

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2. Facebook: Community Engagement & Event Promotion

✅ Favors posts from friends and groups over business pages. 

✅ Prioritizes video content, especially live streams. 

✅ Boosts posts that generate conversations and shares.

Strategy for Nonprofits: 

• Share impact stories—feature artist interviews and audience testimonials. 

• Use Facebook Groups—engage with arts-focused communities. 

• Go live—stream performances, artist talks, or workshops. 

• Ask for audience input—polls and Q&As increase engagement.

  
  

📌 Example Post: "🎭 Behind the scenes at our upcoming performance! What’s your favorite part of the creative process? Tell us in the comments!"

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3. Instagram: Visual Storytelling & Short-Form Video

✅ Prioritizes Reels and Stories over static posts. 

✅ Boosts content that gets likes, shares, and saves. 

✅ Uses interest-based ranking to suggest relevant content.

Winning Strategy for Nonprofits: 

• Post more Reels—showcase rehearsals, artist interviews, or gallery walk-throughs. 

• Use Stories daily—interactive polls and countdowns drive engagement. 

• Leverage strategic hashtags—use 3–5 niche hashtags to target arts-focused audiences.

• Encourage audience participation—ask followers to share their experiences.

  
  

📌 Example Post: "🎨 Sneak peek of our upcoming gallery exhibit! Swipe through and tell us—what piece speaks to you the most?"

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Key Takeaways for Arts Nonprofits:

• Engagement drives visibility—ask questions and encourage discussions.

• Video content is king—Reels, Stories, and Lives get the most traction. 

• Consistency matters—regular posting keeps your nonprofit top-of-mind. 

• Test and analyze—track which content styles work best using analytics.

By working with social media algorithms, you can increase awareness, grow your audience, and strengthen community connections.

Tell me in comments - What are some of the barriers you foresee in this above strategy? Let's talk it out!

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Tanesha Ford is a nonprofit marketing professional with nearly 15 years of experience helping arts organizations work smarter, not harder. As the founder of For de Arts, Tanesha specializes in empowering small but mighty arts nonprofits with tools and strategies that drive real impact.