Facebook EdgeRank was the original algorithm used by Facebook to decide which posts appeared in a user’s News Feed.
What Is Facebook EdgeRank?
Facebook EdgeRank determined post visibility based on user engagement, ensuring that only relevant and engaging content made it to the top. Although Facebook has since introduced more advanced ranking systems, many people still use “EdgeRank Facebook” for the ranking process.
How Did EdgeRank Work?
The EdgeRank Facebook algorithm relied on three key factors to rank content:
- Affinity – This measured the relationship between a user and a page or friend. The more interactions (likes, comments, shares) a user had with a specific page or person, the more likely their posts were to appear in the user’s News Feed.
- Weight – Not all content was treated equally. Posts with images and videos carried more weight than simple text updates, making them more likely to be prioritized in feeds.
- Time Decay—Newer posts were given more importance, while older posts gradually lost visibility over time. This ensured that fresh content was always being promoted.
Does EdgeRank Still Matter?
While EdgeRank itself is no longer in use, engagement remains the driving force behind Facebook’s ranking system. The platform now uses a much more complex AI-driven algorithm, but the core principles of EdgeRank—affinity, weight, and recency—still play a significant role in content visibility.
If you want your content to stand out on Facebook today, focus on boosting engagement. Posts that receive high levels of interaction (likes, comments, shares) are still prioritized. Creating compelling content that encourages user participation can maximize your reach and keep your audience engaged.
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