Following the recent public backlash from Instagram users concerning the recent updates and Instagram’s dogmatism on the new updates.
Instagram head Adam Mosseri has made new claims on his Instagram account. Stating that as of today. Instagram will start a US based survey to better understand how people from historically marginalized communities experience the app. And if there are changes they can make to promote fairness.
The New App Design
Have you noticed your Instagram and Facebook feeds are beginning to look a lot like Tiktok?
If you're an avid user of these apps, then you'll probably notice that the app's design has changed quite a bit since last year. Now, instead of being able to scroll through posts, you'll need to swipe up to see them. This means that you won't be able to view older posts as easily.
And quite recently, they launched a new feature with the intention of allowing users to discover more relevant content on the platform. Instead of just showing you accounts that you follow; instead you will now see content from the creators or companies to you connect with.
The New Features
The new version of also features picture-in-picture videos, making it look more and more like TikTok. There's also a new Explore tab that lets you browse other people's photos.
Is it Being Accepted?
It seems like everyone is talking about the new updates to Instagram. Unfortunately, there has been a negative backlash from users, while some people find it intrusive, others think they're unnecessary.
Public Reactions!
Last week, one of the most followed women on Instagram, “Kylie Jenner”, and her sister Kim Kardashian. shared a post by a user who stated, “make Instagram, Instagram again.” She further commented, “Stop trying to be Tiktok, I just want to see cute photos of my friends.”
Although it may look like just one person’s opinion, her comment can affect a company's stock. In 2018, (SNAP) stock closed down 6%, and the company lost over $1.3 billion after Kylie said she was no longer using the app.
Are they listening to the Public?
It was no surprise that Instagram head Adam Mosseri addressed the issue on. Tuesday 26th July, via a video on Instagram. He said the full-screen version of feeds (which looks like the TikTok screens). is a test for only a selected percentage of users and acknowledged that it is “not yet good. On concerns about the new video-centric Instagram, Adam cited that “more and more of Instagram is going to become video overtime”. While Instagram remains committed to supporting photos and stories, he insists that these changes will inevitably happen.
Although users are not pleased with these new features, the Meta company is no way close to backing down from it. On Wednesday 27th July 2022, Zuckerberg remarked that "Right now, about 15% of content in a person’s Facebook feed and a little more than that of their Instagram feed is recommended by our AI from people, groups, or accounts that you don’t follow. We expect these numbers to more than double by the end of next year."
"One of the main transformations in our business right now is that social feeds are going from being driven primarily by the people and accounts you follow to increasingly also being driven by AI recommending content that you'll find interesting from across Facebook or Instagram, even if you don't follow those creators"
is Meta trying to Turn Instagram into a Money Making Machine
Meta seems to be making more profit from these changes; hence, their stance on users accepting the changes. Zuckerberg also announced on Wednesday that Meta had made more than $1 billion annual run rate from the Reels ads.
Moreover, the amount of time users spend watching Reels has increased by 30 percent since the previous quarter, which may attract advertisers.
Meta seems to be more concerned about pleasing direct stakeholders and investors than their active users.
