Instagram scales back short-form videos, recommended posts after negative feedback
Instagram is rolling back some of its recent changes after receiving negative feedback.
The Meta-owned company used a "test-version of the app that opened to full-screen photos and videos," Platformer reports, but users weren't too happy that it was starting to look more like TikTok's app interface, heavily featuring recommended content alongside that of accounts they follow.
Instagram chief Adam Mosseri said despite the walkback, he's "glad we took a risk — if we're not failing every once in a while, we're not thinking big enough or bold enough." Within the next few weeks, users will begin to see fewer recommended posts in their feed.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Washington Post reported that Mosseri's decision to scale back was partially the result of a revolt from some of "Instagram's most prominent users." Celebrities such as Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian shared a viral quote graphic that reads: "Make Instagram Instagram again. (Stop trying to be TikTok I just want to see cute photos of my friends.) Sincerely, everyone." It was originally created by influencer Tatiana Bruening early Wednesday.
The changes were also reflected on Facebook, where users complained they opened the platform to interact with family and friends, but were now feeling forced to watch complete strangers' videos.
NPR reports that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg "described it as a 'major shift' from a feed of posts determined by who you follow to one curated by new AI technology that he calls a 'discovery engine.'"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kelsee Majette has worked as a social media editor at The Week since 2022. In 2019, she got her start in local television as a digital producer and fill-in weather reporter at NTV News. Kelsee also co-produced a lifestyle talk show while working in Nebraska and later transitioned to 13News Now as a digital content producer.
-
'The House under GOP rule has become a hostile workplace'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
The Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal is about more than bad bets
In The Spotlight The firestorm surrounding one of baseball's biggest stars threatens to upend a generational legacy and professional sports at large
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case
Speed Read Homeland Security raided the properties of hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Justice Department bites Apple with iPhone suit
Speed Read The lawsuit alleges that the tech company monopolized the smartphone industry
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
House votes to force TikTok to sell or face US ban
speed read The House passed a bill to ban TikTok on national security grounds unless it sells to a non-Chinese company
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Apple kills its secret electric car project
Speed Read Many of the people from Project Titan are being reassigned to work on generative AI
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Nightshade: the 'data poisoning' tool boosting fightback against AI
Under the Radar Like 'putting hot sauce in your lunch so it doesn't get stolen from the workplace fridge', says creator
By The Week UK Published
-
2023: the year of the AI boom
the explainer This year, generative artificial intelligence bypassed the metaverse and became the next big thing in tech
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Cellphone use may be lowering sperm count
Speed Read Electromagnetic radiation could be affecting male fertility
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Nasa reveals first findings from asteroid that could explain origins of life
Speed Read Sample from Bennu has been found to contain an abundance of water and carbon
By Jamie Timson, The Week UK Published
-
Can Meta woo Gen Z with AI chatbots?
Talking Point Meta is set to release the first of dozens of AI 'personas' aimed at driving Gen Z engagement
By Theara Coleman Published