Is There a WeChat Algorithm?
While apps like Douyin and Xiaohongshu are known for their smart recommendation systems, many people don’t realize that WeChat also uses an algorithm to suggest content.
If you’ve ever wondered why certain articles appear in your feed or how businesses can attract more readers, here’s a simple breakdown of WeChat’s algorithm and how you can make it work.
Yes! WeChat has an algorithm that helps decide which content gets seen. In the past, WeChat Official Account posts were mainly viewed by existing followers in chronological order.
But as competition increased and more people started using short-video apps, WeChat introduced features to help users discover new content.
If you use WeChat regularly, you might notice the algorithm at work in these ways:
Subscription Account Folder - Ranking
Posts are not displayed in chronological order. WeChat prioritizes content that receives more clicks and engagement.
Additionally, small text indicators show a post's overall popularity and how many friends have interacted with it.
Friends’ Recommendations ♡
WeChat is testing a feature that shows you what articles your friends have read or liked.
This feature displays articles a user's friends have recently read or liked, marked with a "Friends ♡" tag.
Top Stories Section
Some articles appear in WeChat’s "Discover: Top Stories" section. These are chosen based on popularity and engagement.
Following New Accounts
When you follow a new account on WeChat, it will suggest similar accounts that you might like.
End of Articles
After reading an article, WeChat will roll out suggested articles that say people who liked this article also enjoyed these posts.
Suggestions after following a new account Recommended articles
Search Results
Articles that get more views and interactions appear higher in WeChat’s search results.
WeChat’s algorithm looks at several factors to recommend content:
Content Quality: Original, interesting, and useful content gets ranked higher.
User Engagement: More likes, comments, and shares help content get noticed.
Social Proof: If your friends interact with a post, WeChat is more likely to show it to you.
SEO & Keywords: Using relevant words in your posts can help them show up in search results.
Freshness: Recent content, especially on trending topics, gets prioritized.
WeChat’s recommendation system gives brands a chance to reach new audiences. Here’s how you can take advantage of it.
Use WeChat’s New Traffic Features
Brands can now have their posts featured in high-traffic areas. To do this:
Check the box in your post settings to opt in,
Make sure your content follows WeChat’s quality guidelines.
WeChat delivers content in stages:
First Stage: Posts go to all your followers.
Second Stage (24-48 Hours): If your post gets good engagement, WeChat shows it to more people. Be proactive and promote your new article within this golden window.
Third Stage: If engagement stays high, WeChat promotes it in Top Stories and search results.
In the WeChat backend, you can see how many views are generated thanks to recommendations and "Friends ♡".
WeChat’s algorithm is changing how content spreads. Instead of only showing posts to followers, it now recommends them based on quality and engagement.
If brands create interesting, valuable content and take advantage of WeChat’s discovery tools, they can attract more readers and grow their audience.
