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#Web Makers Circle
Does Boosting One Social Media Post Make the Rest of Your Posts Invisible?
Intermittent variable rewards and the tyranny of the ad-profit based social media algorithms. Be aware.
If you’re holding your nose closed, and starting to dip your toes into the waters of paid social media ads — you should be aware of how using boosts or targeted ads behind a single post can influence how the platform treats your future organic reach.
It’s gnarly.
Social Media Platforms Use Intermittent Variable Rewards
Platforms like Facebook and Instagram use a tactic intermittent reinforcement (the same psychological trick found in gambling) to keep businesses spending money on ads.
When you boost a post, you might see an initial surge in engagement. But once the boost ends, your organic reach can drop, making it feel like your next posts go “invisible” until you pay again.
This isn’t necessarily a deliberate penalty, but rather a function of how engagement-based algorithms work.
The more you pay to reach an audience, the more the platform assumes you’re willing to pay to play. As a result of paying for…
