Following user backlash this week, Instagram will reverse some key changes to the social networking platform.
Instagram began testing a full-screen feed on the app last month, similar to TikTok’s design. However, Instagram head, Adam Mosseri, announced today in an interview with Platformer that the test version of the app that opened to full-screen photos and videos will be phased out over the next one to two weeks, and Instagram will also temporarily reduce the number of recommended posts that users see.
Mosseri also noted that the trend of customers watching more videos is real and did exist before the rise of TikTok. He does admit, though, that Instagram users were displeased with the app’s recent design modifications.
“For the new feed designs, people are frustrated, and the usage data isn’t great,” says Mosseri.“So there, we need to take a big step back, regroup, and figure out how we want to move forward.”
“I’m glad we took a risk — if we’re not failing every once in a while, we’re not thinking big enough or bold enough,” he added.
As well as with the removal of the full-screen feed, the app will temporarily restrict the amount of recommended content that you see. Mosseri predicted that Instagram would refine its algorithms and personalization tools before ramping up the volume of recommendations again.
“When you discover something in your feed that you didn’t follow before, there should be a high bar — it should just be great,” Mosseri says.
“You should be delighted to see it. And I don’t think that’s happening enough right now. So we need to take a step back, in terms of the percentage of feed that are recommendations, get better at ranking and recommendations, and then — if and when we do — we can start to grow again.”