Get Rewarded: How to Double Your Reach by Nailing Social Media Interaction in 2026

The truth about modern social media isn't just what you post, but also how you nurture the conversation afterwards. If you’re spending time creating content only to have it disappear into the digital ether, it’s time to change your strategy.

When was the last time you actually checked your social media insights and stats?

For most Australian small businesses we work with, the discovery is the same: they are often blown away by how few of their actual followers see each post, Reel, or Carousel.

You’re investing precious time and energy into creating great content, yet the reality is that the algorithms are showing it to barely a fraction of your audience. If your post only reaches 10% of your followers, you’re essentially working for free most of the time.

This 2025/2026 guide focuses on what the Facebook and Instagram algorithms truly reward to fix this problem: meaningful interactions and quick responses.

In 2025, the algorithms on Facebook and Instagram function like vigilant bouncers. They don't want to show low-quality, fleeting content. They want to show content that guarantees one thing: people stay on the platform longer.

When you post, the platform initially shows it to a small test group of your followers. If those people stop scrolling and genuinely interact, the algorithm says, "Aha! This is good stuff," and immediately starts distributing it more widely.

The key signal isn't a like; it’s a conversation.

Analogy to Share: Think of your social media post like a high-street shop window. Impressions are people walking past. Views are people stepping inside. Comments and Shares are them starting a conversation with your staff and bringing a friend next time.

If you are only tracking Likes, you are measuring vanity. Focus on these three metrics to supercharge your reach:

1. Comments: The Gold Standard of Engagement

A comment takes effort. It shows the user paused, read, and formed an opinion. Well-respected experts like Hootsuite emphasise that comments are a much stronger signal for distribution than reactions. They indicate a powerful connection between you and your audience.

2. Saves and Shares: The Ultimate Endorsement

Saves (especially on Instagram) and Shares are the most powerful signals of intent. If someone saves your post, it means they find it so valuable they want to come back to it. If they share it, they are endorsing you to their own network. Both tell the algorithm: This content is exceptionally high-quality and useful.

3. The Speed of Your Reply: The Engagement Multiplier

Data shows that replying to comments doesn't just look nice—it significantly boosts the overall engagement rate of your post. Platforms like Meta recommend engaging with comments quickly, especially in the first hour. When you reply, the post is refreshed, the thread grows, and the algorithm is encouraged to keep the content active.

For a small business in 2026, the highest potential for getting in front of more people lies with short-form video. However, the highest potential for deep value and trust lies elsewhere. A blend is essential.

Reels: The Undisputed Reach Champion

Instagram and Facebook Reels are currently the single best format for maximising reach and finding new, non-follower audiences. The algorithms aggressively push short, entertaining, and educational videos into discovery feeds.

Goal: Awareness and Finding New People.

Carousels: The Engagement and Value Champion

Carousels (multi-slide image/text posts) are the champion for deep engagement signals like Saves and Shares. They slow the scroll and build authority by breaking down valuable information into digestible steps.

Goal: Building Authority and Driving Deep Engagement.

Action Plan: Use Reels to get attention and Carousels to build trust, ensuring every piece of content invites a simple comment.

You need to make commenting easy, valuable, and rewarding for your audience. Avoid "engagement bait" (like spammy "Comment YES") and focus on genuine curiosity.

Never ask an open-ended question like "Any questions?" The friction is too high. Instead, use prompts people can answer in five seconds:

• A or B Choice: "Which Aussie beach would you pick for a weekend getaway, the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast?"
• Fill-in-the-Blank: "The one thing I wish I’d known sooner about starting a business in Australia is..."
• Quick Scenario: "If you had a sudden cancellation today, what's the first thing you'd do?"

High-value, long comments signal a deeper connection. Instead of simple 'yes/no' questions, ask for personal experiences.

This is the easiest way to immediately increase your comment volume without creating extra content.

The Template: Acknowledge ->  Add Value ->  Ask a Follow-up Question.

Make it a priority to reply to the first 5-10 comments as quickly as possible, ideally within the first hour. This is the crucial window when the platform decides on the post's wider distribution. Your fast response tells the algorithm: This post is creating a dynamic environment; keep showing it.

On both Facebook and Instagram, pin your own comment that asks a clear, open-ended question related to the content. This reduces the effort for the next person to join in, acting as an instant conversation starter.

The number one mistake small businesses make? Posting and ghosting.

If you create content and never reply to the people who take the time to comment, your audience learns not to bother. You lose the compounding benefit of reply-driven engagement and train the algorithm that your content doesn't facilitate connection.

You put the effort in to create the content, now put in the tiny bit of extra effort to reap the rewards!

Stop tracking just vanity likes. Track these key metrics weekly:

• Reach or Impressions: How many people saw the post?
• Comments per Post (Average): The true measure of connection.
• Shares and Saves: The metric for content quality and value.
• Engagement Rate: (Total Engagement / Reach) X 100. This tells you if your effort is translating into performance.

Focusing on these deeper signals will ensure your effort is rewarded in 2026 with significantly higher reach and genuine community growth.