Formatting Social Media to Your Liking

Written By Alicia Vial

Social media has now made it possible to see only what you are interested in, or could potentially be interested in. Apps like TikTok have revolutionized the term “for you” on social media. It is now possible for you to formulate your social media to your liking and see less of things you don't want to see.

An algorithm on social media is a set of rules and calculations that platforms use to determine what content to show users and in what order. The algorithm is typically designed to keep users on an app as long as possible. Social media algorithms use the posts that you interact with via likes, comments, shares, reposts, and any other interactive features to curate your own personal experience. Interact with posts that you like or would like to see more of so that the algorithm can begin showing you things of interest to you. 

Hashtags are there to help direct traffic and provide context for whatever is being posted. Hashtags categorize the content being posted to social media and aid the algorithm in dividing content for specific target audiences. The more you interact with a hashtag, the more you will begin to see things related to it show on your social media.  

To filter out content you do not want to see, use features such as:

  • “Not Interested” - the “Not Interested” feature on social media gives users an option to see less of a specific type of content. By using the "Not Interested” feature, social media algorithms can adjust the content you are seeing, so that you see less of what you don’t like.  

  • Block and Report: in the event of witnessing a post or user that seems to violate the rules of the platform, there is the option to block and report. Blocking a user prevents them from interacting with you and seeing your content.  Reporting a post or a user allows the platform to review the post or user and decide if the post violates the rules of the platform usually called the “community guidelines.”  If the reported user or post goes against the community guidelines, the platform then may act in the form of limiting the user’s features such as messaging and posting or even suspending or deleting the account.  

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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