Here are 7 features and tools you can use within Instagram Stories to outsmart the Instagram algorithm: 1. In fact, Instagram Stories is quickly becoming one of the best channels to drive engagement, build brand awareness, drive traffic, and even make ecommerce sales! This year, you can expect Instagram Stories to continue its dominance over Snapchat and become an essential part of your Instagram marketing strategy. How to use Instagram stories to outsmart the algorithm In light of these changes and those the platform has continued to make, Instagram users will have to find new ways to grow their engagement and reach their audiences. In other words, the feed is still algorithmic, however the weight of the factors that impact the Instagram algorithm have shifted slightly. Instagram essentially just moved the dials on its algorithm so that the time you post is more important than before. This just meant that posts would appear slightly more chronological. However, this didn’t mean that the original chronological feed would return. Way back in 2018, Instagram revealed that posts would return to a more chronological order. How to use Instagram stories to outsmart the algorithm.