Data Report · 2026
We measured views per follower across 2,537 videos. The algorithm feeds small accounts. The data proves it.
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The question
Big creators say it all the time. "My reach dropped." "The algorithm changed." "They're suppressing me."
It's not suppression. It's math.
The dataset
Views per follower by account size
The gap
Under 10K
0.440
views per follower
44% of your followers see each post
Over 1M
0.031
views per follower
3% of your followers see each post
14× difference.
But before you celebrate
0-10K
918
median views
10-50K
4K
median views
50-100K
8K
median views
100-500K
15K
median views
500K-1M
50K
median views
1M+
65K
median views
A 1M+ account still gets 65K median views per post. They're not struggling. They just don't get the same algorithmic boost.
Why this happens
Discovery mode
Under ~50K followers
The algorithm doesn't know your audience yet. It pushes your content wider to test who responds. More reach per follower. More non-followers see your videos.
Retention mode
Over ~100K followers
The algorithm knows your audience. It shows your content to existing followers first. If they engage, it pushes further. Less free discovery. More earned reach.
The ultimate conclusion
Under 10K
Post your best content now. The algorithm will never push it this hard again.
10K-100K
The squeeze. Stay consistent. Strong hooks matter more now.
100K+
Stop comparing to when you were small. Optimize for retention, not discovery.
The algorithm isn't against you. It's just not for you the same way it was at 2,000 followers. That's the game.
Play it accordingly.
Data Report · The Content Labs
2,537 videos · thecontentlabs.app