Users have been harshly critical of the social media platform’s recent updates.
Instagram has realised its error after bombarding people’s feeds with unwanted content. By informing the app about what they don’t want to see, the social media platform is testing ways for users to have more control over what appears on their Explore page and regular feed.
Instagram announced on Tuesday that it is testing two new features as well as highlighting existing features that can help shape one’s timeline. The first tool allows users to mark multiple posts on their Explore page as “Not Interested,” which removes the posts and prevents similar ones from being shown in the future. The platform is also testing a tool that allows users to opt out of seeing suggested content that contains specific words, phrases, emojis, captions, and hashtags that they have saved to a list on their account.
The company also highlighted existing platform features that help users see more of what they like pop up on their screens. Among these features is the “favourites” tool, which allows you to add specific accounts to a list that prioritises their posts or view a feed of coveted content. There’s also the “Following” feature, which allows users to view content posted by accounts they follow in chronological order (ah, like back in the day). The social media platform also has a snooze feature that allows users to take a 30-day break from unwanted content.
Instagram has been changing its feed in ways that resemble TikTok. However, the changes have prompted users of the platform to express their displeasure with the new Instagram. And you know things were bad when one of Instagram’s most popular users, Kylie Jenner, pleaded for the return of the old Instagram. Jenner’s opinion on social media is rather important, when she tweeted to complain about Snapchat’s new layout in 2018, the company went on to lose $1.3 billion.
Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri responded to the platform’s new feed concerns by saying that the company is experimenting with different changes to the app. However, he clarified that, while he enjoys Instagram’s photos, he believes the platform’s future will be more focused on video. While Instagram may not be going back to its old ways, it may be giving disgruntled users more ways to get a nostalgic glimpse of how their feed used to be set up.
