Instagram users are mad.
Throughout the past few weeks, some have taken to Twitter to vent their frustrations as they feel the algorithm has changed yet again and is surpressing content they actually would like to see within their feeds.Â
The platform has not followed reverse-chronological order for a few years. This means instead of seeing what your bestie posted five minutes ago, you might be seeing posts from celebrities and influencers from a few days ago.
Model and influencer Dishon King (@thedishonking) posted a screen recorded video of Instagram showing how the algorithm is currently working and why it is a problem.
Visual representation of instagram’s terrible algorithm pic.twitter.com/mdRKtITYzG
— Dishon King (@thedishonking) October 30, 2019
In 2016, Instagram made this switch to increase ad revenue on the app by making people stay on the app for a longer amount of time.
The algorithm prioritizes accounts the user interacts with most, what their interests are, and putting newer posts first.Other factors include frequent use of the app and the amount of users they follow so that the app can show you the best posts from a wide number of users.
In return, it can be a bit tricky to make your posts popular and in return affect your post reach and engagement with your followers if your posts do not appear to them.
Although, Instagram said that verified accounts do not have an advantage over other users, there is still a big impact on start-up accounts like for influencers who have only just started building their brand.
Many users have took to twitter to share their personal complaints against the algorithm especially in the past few days.Â
It’s so discouraging as a blogger to have several thousand followers and only 1/8 of your following is actually seeing your posts because of the Instagram algorithm. Even my family + close friends who don’t follow a lot of people aren’t always seeing my posts on their TL anymore!
— (@carlaxmaee) October 30, 2019
Instagram has yet to make note of the complaints or consider going back to reverse-chronological order; they might be testing a new way to view posts from the people you follow.
I’m over Instagram and their constantly changing algorithm. How do I go from 200-300 likes on my posts to barely 100. I’m over it.
— Bri (@love_breeeze) October 30, 2019
The new method, according to reverse-engineer Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane), includes categorizing the people you follow in to different lists like Art, Sports, and so on. There will also be a list called Least Interacted With that would recommend people to unfollow if you barely interact with them.
This will provide a cleaner and more organized to view posts that are tailored specifically to your interests and interactions.
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.
Image credit: Shutterstock.