---
title: "Overwhelm the algorithm"
description: "Volume first, refine second. Every post is a shot on goal, and 80% of the way five times a day out-learns 100% three times a week."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/glossary/overwhelm-the-algorithm/
updated: 2026-10-25
---

# Overwhelm the algorithm

Volume first, refine second. Every post is a shot on goal, and 80% of the way five times a day out-learns 100% three times a week.

## Why does it matter?

Every post is a chance to learn. Over a quarter, three a week is 39 videos and three a day is 273, so the higher volume finds the winners faster.

## How does it work?

1. Lower the bar to 80% and raise the number of posts.
2. Repurpose every winner into carousels and other platforms before filming more.
3. Batch shoot so one day feeds the whole week.
4. Refine once the volume is steady and the signals show what to keep.

## Where has Tom used it?

This is how [Sam Stoffel](https://tomsharman.com/case-studies/sam-stoffel/) went from 0 to 500,000 followers in 10 months: a team and a system that could post three times a day.

## Related terms

- [Trial reels](https://tomsharman.com/glossary/trial-reels/index.md): Instagram's test posts, run two a day on top of three feed posts to test hooks, with the winners moved to the feed.
- [Formats over ideas](https://tomsharman.com/glossary/formats-over-ideas/index.md): A repeatable format beats a one-off story, because the audience can guess what comes next. Repeat it until it becomes a show.
- [Views per follow](https://tomsharman.com/glossary/views-per-follow/index.md): Views divided by follows for each post, the metric Tom uses most. A follow is the biggest signal short of a sale.

## Where is it explained?

- https://tomsharman.com/playbooks/distribution/overwhelm-the-algorithm/