The law of attraction definition is essentially that likes attracts like. We all get that generally, but let's take it a little deeper and use the Instagram algorithm to help really take this whole thing home.
In today's blog post, I'm going to help you understand what is the law of attraction is and exactly how it works in an easy-to-read format. Let's get started!
Law of attraction definition & Instagram
Last night I was on Instagram, as I am most nights when I’m waiting for my kids to fall asleep. I noticed something very peculiar–in my suggested feed was an account that was created for a child who had cancer. I wondered how and why Instagram was showing this to me.
Then it dawned on me that it was because I had been highly engaged with and following the story of an account that was using cancer hashtags in almost every photo.
Instagram naturally thought I wanted to see more cancer.
I actually did click on that account and went down another rabbit hole that I couldn’t get off of my mind for days. Of course my scrolling and clicking through this account only reaffirmed to Instagram that I am indeed interested in cancer.
Later as I was thinking about this, I realized that this is exactly the way the law of attraction (LOA) works. The characteristic that social media algorithms and the LOA have in common is that they bring things to us not based on how we feel about them, but based on how much focus we’re putting on them.
They aren’t computing whether we want to experience them or not, they’re simply calculating how much attention we’re putting on a certain subject and assuming we want more of that in our experience.
I’m going to share with you three ways exactly in which the LOA and algorithms function in the same way, and three ways to clean up your "suggested feed" with the LOA.
What is an Algorithm?
But first, for anyone who doesn’t know what an social media algorithm is, I’m going to briefly explain in laymen terms (because I’m not super techy) what they are.
Basically, most sites have an algorithm in place to track what you’re viewing on their sites and other sites. They do this so they can improve viewer readership experience and increase sales.
Instagram for example, follows what you view and what you engage with. Even if you don’t click like or comment, Instagram can see when you view a certain account. If you view it enough times, Instagram will get the assumption that you want to see more related accounts.
Facebook and Pinterest work in similar ways: whatever you click on and engage with, their algorithms will put more of the same in your feed. What you scroll past without giving any attention to will be faded out of your feed.
The algorithms basically do this by tracking cookies on your phone or computer. These cookies don’t tell the algorithms if you actually like something or not, only that you recently put your attention on it so it’s assuming you want to see more of it based on your internet activity.
3 ways the LOA is like Instagram's algorithm
Here are 3 ways the law of attraction functions just like Instagram's algorithm:
1. What you put your attention on will start to show up more in your life, whether you like it or not.
LOA and algorithms say yes to everything: even if you don’t like a particular story or subject and it upsets you, if you put your attention on it, LOA and algorithms send more of that your way.
Have you ever clicked on a story on Facebook and read it, or clicked to read the comments, and then found more of the same in your feed? More political articles that piss you off, more sad stories, more people ranting about whatever is the current debate?
Have you ever visited a website and then later when you’re on Facebook, you see an ad for that very same store in your sidebar or in your feed? That’s the algorithm at work. Following what you’re putting your attention on, assuming you want more of that, and presenting it to you subtly in other places.
I was closely following a family having an experience with cancer, so Instagram algorithms calculated that cancer is an interest to me and that I would likely further engage with photos hash-tagged with cancer. It can’t compute whether I want it for myself or not, it’s only going off of where I’m putting my attention.
The law of attraction has also been picking up on my focus and fears around cancer. I began noticing more mentions of cancer around me from family and tv shows. The LOA is sending me more of what I’ve been focusing on.
The LOA will always send you more of whatever you put your attention on, good or bad. I heard Donald Neale Walsh say in a speech that “This is a yes universe.” He went on to say that whatever we put our attention on, the universe says “yes.”
I don’t have enough money. Yes, you don’t have enough money.
I don’t have a lover. Yes, you don’t have a lover.
Everything sucks for me. Yes, everything does suck for you.
I am abundant. Yes, you are abundant.
I only see the best in people. Yes, you only see the best in people.
Everything goes well for me. Yes, everything does go well for you.
What are you saying yes to? What are you giving your attention to? Do you really want more of this in your "feed", a.k.a. life?
2. When you explicitly engage with content, it will show up faster in your feed.
When we click “like” or “heart” something in our feeds, the algorithms instantly take note and scan for related content to show up in your feed as you scroll down.
On Instagram, when you double tap to like someone’s photo, that person’s photos will show up again in your feed as you continue scrolling. Instagram wants to give you more of what it thinks you like, and if you engage with a certain account, it will show up in your feed more often, sometimes right away.
Take it a step further and comment; this really gets the algorithm’s attention. Now it knows that you not only find this content of interest, but you took time to leave a comment. You must really love it! Or so thinks the algorithm.
LOA works in the same way. Say you’ve been randomly thinking about Donald Trump and how much he pisses you off, and you’ve noticed here and there more and more about him showing up in your reality. It’s starting to rile you up seeing these articles about him and you’re beginning to spend more time reading through the comments section.
One day you see an article about him on Facebook and you click on the “angry” emoji and leave a comment. Both the Facebook algorithm and the LOA say “Wow–she engaged, felt strong emotion, and even left a comment; she must love Donald Trump!” Let’s give her more Donald.
The LOA sees that you’re giving your attention to Donald and you’re feeling strong emotions about him. Since the LOA works by bringing more of what you focus on to you, it can only bring you more Donald and more negative emotions.
3. The hashtags (beliefs) you apply to your content (life) will begin to attract other people and experiences that are related.
When we apply hashtags to our content on social media, we do so with the intent of attracting others who are interested in the same subject. Hashtagging #entrepreneur will attract others to your account who are interested in entrepreneurism.
It will also tell the algorithms that you want to see related accounts who use the same hashtags.
Compared to the LOA, hashtags are similar to our beliefs, attitudes, and emotions. If you wake up on the wrong side of the bed and believe “this is going to be a shitty day”, you are hashtagging #thisisgoingtobeashittyday and are therefore telling the LOA to bring you people and experiences into your day that will reaffirm that belief.
Yes, this is going to be a shitty day.
And of course the very content you post will attract others who are in alignment with that content. So if you're in a bad mood, you'll attract circumstances and experiences with other people that will be in alignment with your bad mood.
How to work the law of attraction "algorithm"
So now that we understand how much social media algorithms and the LOA have in common and how they work, we can gain some valuable insight into how we can clean up our "feeds" a.k.a. our life experience.
1. Scroll past what you don't want in your vibration
Algorithms don’t care how you feel about a topic, only how much of your attention it garners. If you scroll right past something without stopping to read it, you send a direct signal to the algorithm (LOA) that you have zero interest in that subject.
Just like on Facebook when you see an article in your feed that doesn't align with you, you just need to scroll on past so the algorithm gets the message that you don't want that in your experience. When you find yourself worrying and obsessing over things, stop and do something that takes your mind off of it. If someone wants to talk to you about a subject that upsets you, change the subject or walk away.
Don't give any of your precious attention and focus to anything that you don't want to bring into your own life. Anything that makes you mad, sad, or scared will bring more things into your experience that make you feel that way. So just keep scrolling on past.
2. Engage with content that makes you feel good
When you follow pages and people who are uplifting and inspiring, and click and engage on positive content, you are telling the algorithm that you want to see more of that. The same goes for your life experience–when you start surrounding yourself with people and books and places that are uplifting and inspiring, the LOA will bring more things to you that make you feel good.
Since social media algorithms really pick up on what you engage with, only engage with content that makes you feel good. In LOA terms, only give your attention to conversations and activities that make you feel better.
When I see debate articles on Facebook, sometimes I want to stop and look, but I know that that will just set me up for seeing more sad/annoying/irritating articles in my feed that are of the same nature. Same thing when someone starts off on a rant about how unfair life is or something of that nature; I pull the "grin and nod" move and don't let my emotions get pulled down into the conversation.
Of course, I've been the ranty person who is complaining. We're all guilty of it at times. But it's always easy to clean up your "feed" by redirecting your focus and attention.
3. Only post content that makes you feel good
And one of the best ways to clean up your social media feeds is to share positive, good-feeling content! Use high-vibe hashtags that will attract others who are in alignment with good feeling vibrations. In LOA terms, start off your days feeling good. Cement positive beliefs and feelings into your vibration so that you're a match for more good things to come into your experience. Hashtag your life with #thisdayisgoingtobemindblowinglyawesome.
Yes, this day is going to be mind-blowingly awesome.
Jessica Dimas is the author of Anything Can Be: A Reference Guide for Applying the Law of Attraction.
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Chelsea @ Life With My Littles
Yes! I love this! I hate the algorithms, but it totally is like the LOA!
Jessica Dimas
Hahaha yes as a blogger I really do not enjoy these algorithms, but I definitely it was crazy when I realized how alike the LOA and algorithms are!
Janine
I totally agree, what you think, say and believe is what you attract, I like the way you related that with the algorithms. I'm currently on my path to changing my beliefs, mostly about myself, and creating the life I dream about. Thanks for another great post. xxoo
Jessica Dimas
Thanks Janine! Yeah it kind of amazed me when I realized the similarities between algorithms and the law of attraction! The path you're on is a lovely path to be on, I'm on the same one myself 🙂 Always a work in progress.
Moonsparkle (ZM)
I enjoyed your post. I'd actually had an idea to write a post about how Pinterest is similar to LOA but hadn't written much on it and then I found this post which inspired me to finish my own! 🙂
I try to surround myself with positive things these days, especially Pinterest and Facebook. I personally have health anxiety so cancer isn't something I want to focus on and I can understand you being disturbed by the content you were shown.
A couple of years ago I "liked" a mixed race page on Facebook because initally it was just people posting pictures but it became more and more negative with people getting into fights and depressing posts and I found myself being brought down by it. The more I interacted with the page the more I would see, so sometimes I questioned whether I really wanted to keep following. I decided to stay for the more positive posts but earlier this year I realised I hadn't seen any updates for ages and the page had gone. I think they might have shut it down because it had become so negative but I must have taken my attention off it because it took me a while to realise it was gone!
Jessica Dimas
Isn't that so funny how that happens? You've got the idea or you're thinking about it and then you see something similar? LOA at it's finest haha.
I hear you on the health anxiety, I'm also trying to work on that fear. Do you ever listen to Esther/Abraham Hicks? They has a lot of great talks on Youtube about health and it always helps to calm me.
And yes again to the Facebook page! I had like some "gentle parenting" pages but they were always arguing on parenting and I would allow myself to get sucked into it. That's so cool that you hadn't seen any of their updates in ages since you took your attention off it. It's pretty amazing how we don't even see the negativity if we ourselves aren't on the same frequency!
Moonsparkle (ZM)
Thanks for your reply. 🙂 Yeah, that is really cool!
I have the book Ask and it is Given and also The Astonishing Power of Emotions. I've occasionally watched/listened to an Abraham Hicks YouTube video but I'm not sure if I've heard one on health. Thank you for the suggestion, I'll check that out. And good luck with working on your fear too. 🙂
I don't have kids but even I get annoyed reading some of these parenting comments! lol. I used to visit the site Celebrity Baby Blog a lot (and still do occasionally) and people would always have opinions on the "right" way to do things, like breastfeed, whether the baby should sleep in a cot or in the bed with the parent etc. Some of the comments seemed so judgemental. Yeah, I think I just started paying less attention to the FB page and focused on other things, so it took me a while to realise it had gone, lol.
Jessica A Cleveland
I love this! Great article. I'm glad that I stopped by 🙂
Jessica Dimas
Thanks Jessica, I'm glad you enjoyed the article!
John
It is really good and attractive topic. I will keep on reading articles related to this one. I think i will eventually change my attitude,, way of thinking. Alway I will think positive to the outcome of all my daily activities.
Thank you
Shelly
Brilliant analogy! Love this post!
Jessica Dimas
Thank you Shelly!
Bailey
This is a beautiful way to approach the changes in IG/FB. I am working hard to be conscious of what I say yes to professionally and personally. Thank you for writing this!
Jessica Dimas
I'm doing the same Bailey, always a learning process for me! Thanks for your comment xo
Ashley
This is pretty genius. I've been thinking of similar topics lately as i'm creating my own ecourse on soul work. The basis really is simple. Everything is energy. Where are you putting your focus and what is your feeling space behind the energy. I really loved how you used an analogy of hashtags and algorithms. It makes so much sense and creates a clear picture of how manifesting can work.
It's really about shifting your focus, however easy or hard that is 🙂
Thanks for the inspiration,
love
Ash
http://theawakenedstate.net/
Jessica Dimas
Oooh, I could talk soul work all day, that ecourse sounds really interesting. Everything truly is energy. Today I was listening to a podcast that explained why affirmations and mantras are so powerful; because they're energy! I was like DUH, how have I never connected that before, because I know speaking words of love affect the cellular structure of things, so why I didn't ever connect affirmations being so powerful because of the energy they emit I don't know. But yes to energy being everything. Thanks for your comment xo
Nashia Ahsan
This is definitely the best post on The Law of Attraction. You explained it in such a creative and easy way!
Jessica Dimas
Thank you Nashia! It definitely helps to be able to think of it in that way, much more simplified!
Shar
This is such a fun way to look at LOA! Great blog. Had me giggling all the way through. Saying Yes! to more fun blogs.
Warm regards,
Shar
Jessica Dimas
Hahaha thank you Shar! Xo
Sarah
I just loved this article! Once I shifted my focus, in life, and on social, everything changed.
Jessica Dimas
Yes, isn't it amazing how quickly things change once you shift your focus?! Thank you for your comment <3
Kelsey
Jessica!!
First off let me say how brilliant this article is, what an awesome analogy! I totally agree with and salute everything you've stated so beautifully here! I especially love the whole hashtag thins as I myself am a hashtag junkie. #cantdenyit
Secondly, we are seriously soul sisters... I've been blogging about the law of attraction for a while now and I think we have a super similar message and teaching. I hope we can start a friendship and hopefully collaborate one day soon. <3
Love and Light,
Kelsey Aida
kelseyaida.com
P.S. I'm sharing this with all my students on my social media channels because I love it so much.
Moonsparkle (ZM)
Hi Kelsey, just wanted to say I also enjoy your blog. I recently read one of your posts on affirmations and shared it on my blog.
Hope you're having a great weekend! 🙂
Jessica Dimas
I'm so happy we crossed paths Kelsey, your blog is beautiful and your energy is just so infectious. Definitely looking forward to being friends and future collaborations! xo
Jennifer
Ah!!! This post is mind-blowingly-brilliant! It's one of those posts I wish I had written! 😉 Wowza! You're amazing! Thank you!!!
Jessica Dimas
Aw thank you Jennifer!!
Carla
As someone who works with social media marketing and believes 200% in the law of attraction, I love this post and the analogy! It's basically the same with Pinterest too.
One of the best articles I've read lately. Just shared it on Facebook! 🙂
Jessica Dimas
Thank you Carla!! Yeah I remember when everyone was complaining about the social media algorithms (people meaning businesses/bloggers) but I thought it was awesome because it meant seeing less of what I didn't click on and more of what I did. It's like a tailored feed now. Totally like the law of attraction 🙂
Jennifer Dent
What a great analogy! I immediately checked my IG feed to see what's been suggested to me. Thank you!
Jessica Dimas
Yes, it's very telling! Then it's easy to start seeing what's in your life's "feed" by seeing what pops up a lot. So fun the way we can play with the law of attraction like that 🙂
Dicey Grenor
Yessss. Excellent!
Brooke Cole
Wow! This is the second time I've come across one of your posts in the last few weeks, and once again I can not believe how much it resonates with me. This is wonderful and something I will absolutely be keeping in mind. Can't wait to check out the rest of your site 🙂
Jessica Dimas
Oh I'm so glad you've stumbled across my blog for the second time and enjoyed it both times! That put a smile on my face 🙂 Thank you for your comment xo
Caro
Love this! I never comment on posts, but this one was fabulous. Have re-read it 3 times. Thank you.
Kacy Danae
How could I not comment when I absolutely love what you put out. You are such an excellent resource and teacher of the loa!
Jessica Dimas
Thank you so much Kacy, that means a lot!! <3
Rhiannon Day
Haha - what an incredible and accurate metaphor for how the law of attraction works. I really believe that what you focus on is what you get, to the exclusion of everything else. So beautifully explained, and an excellent reminder that from time to time some bad things will pop up on our feed in life - this cannot be avoided. BUT we can always choose which rabbit holes we choose to fall down.
Zennia Hall
I've been struggling with getting a grip on this whole LOA thing. And I kinda hate to admit it but, I think I'm just such a cynical Millennial that this is one of the few explanations that actually makes the most sense to me! haha
Thank you so much for your work, Jessica. Your blog is such a calm, lovely space full of wonderful info--it's really a joy.
Josh J
I have been trying to look for an article that helps deal with practicing the law of attraction in the age of social media and I finally found this! Thank you!
Jessica Dimas
So glad you found this article and enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by.
Kiky
Dear Jessica,
I really love this article. I have been looking for such enlightenment, going to Youtube page but out of nowhere I found you here. I really into LOA these past months but sometimes I feel lost and wondering how to re-aligned with my Source. This article help me a lot, and also I do love your writing on another article such as how to trust universe stuffs. God bless you Jessica.
Btw, I'm from Indonesia. Nice to found you form here 🙂
Jessica Dimas
So awesome to hear that Kiky, thank you for your kind feedback! I'm happy you found the blog 🙂
Reese Evans
The algorithm works like a function. You input elements and output results come out. The Law of attraction works like this.
Jessica Dimas
Yes, exactly!