Instagram is rolling back changes after users’ outcry

Amidst the continuous backlash from users, Instagram confirmed that it was reeling back some of the new app changes. This will also include walking back to the full-screen version of the app. 

While celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian weren’t the only ones upset about the TikTok -like changes on Instagram, many of the users are also unhappy about it. Resulting from the negative reactions of its users, Instagram’s CEO posted a video responding to the criticisms from the users.

On Thursday, Instagram said it would stop the testing of full-screen videos and photos on the feeds. The Meta-owned app also said it would temporarily lessen the posts in the app’s feeds that were algorithm recommended. As it is one of the features they are trying out. 

Furthermore, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri told the Platformer that they are reversing the changes. “I’m glad we took a risk. If we’re not failing once in a while, we’re not thinking big enough or bold enough. But we definitely need to take a big step back and regroup. We’ve learned a lot, then we come back with some sort of new idea or iteration. So we’re going to work through that.”

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The backlash from users made Mosseri and his team decide to pause the testing of the video-focused Instagram. However, Mosseri clarified that Instagram will continue to focus more on videos. For now, Instagram will reduce the number of algorithm-recommended videos but it will increase again once they already have improved the technology.

The popular Chinese video app, TikTok shows full-screen videos. Most of them that appear on the users’ phones are from the recommendations of the algorithm.

Meta said, “We recognize that changes to the app can be an adjustment, and while we believe that Instagram needs to evolve as the world changes, we want to take the time to make sure we get this right.”

Meta Updates

As one of the leading companies in the digital world, Meta needs to keep up with what trend is working. They have been trying to mimic most of its products similarly to the competitors. Moreover, Meta has been open about TikTok and has succeeded in getting people’s interest and retaining longer attention. 

On Wednesday, after a call with the investors, Meta reported that its first-quarter revenue drops. Mark Zuckerberg said Instagram Reels was boosting user growth and engagement. Although he also said that Meta expected a decline in the product category over time.

Zuckerberg also pointed out the transformation to “algorithmic discovery” of suggested content. It was the same trend that brought TikTok its huge success. TikTok places popular videos on the users’ feed even if they are unfamiliar to the users.

Moreover, Zuckerberg also launched a Facebook feature last week. There will be more videos and suggested content into the Facebook users’ feeds, similar to how TikTok does.