Is Instagram finally listening and ready to make the people happy? On Thursday, March 22 Instagram released a post explaining a new update that will improve social media engagement on the platform.
In 2016 Instagram switched from chronological order to an algorithmic one. Ever since users have complained about seeing posts from old posts mixed in with posts from two seconds ago. Bloggers, celebrities, and meme accounts recently started tagging @Instagram in their own posts and stories, begging the platform to switch back, with hopes that they would listen. After almost two years, they’ve heard us! The platform announced the launch of a “New Posts” button which allows you to manually refresh your newsfeed! The platform explained, “Tap the button and you’ll be taken to new posts at the top of feed—don’t tap and you’ll stay where you are. We hope this makes browsing Instagram much more enjoyable.”
This past year the Instagram algorithm made it difficult to see new posts. Even using the required FTC guidelines hashtags would lower an influencer’s post, thus lowering the reach of the post. The more social media engagement a photo has, the higher it is in your feed. If your post got a lot of engagement after it was posted, this signaled to the algorithm that your post was “quality content,” so more of your followers would see the image. Influencers created “Instagram pods” and Telegram groups to alert each other about new posts to boost social media engagement.
In case you missed it, Instagram explained in their update, “Based on your feedback, we’re also making changes to ensure that newer posts are more likely to appear first in the feed.” *Queue Instagram influencers everywhere rejoicing* Now what they have to worry about is posting when their followers are most active. No, the feed will not be 100% chronological but the algorithm is shifting its importance from relevancy to timing. Here’s to hoping our feeds will feel fresh and more up-to-date!
Since Instagram screen-life will now be shorter, timing and quality of posts are more important. Will this lead to more content to ensure they hit their follower’s feeds?
What are your thoughts on this algorithm update? Tweet us @socialfly with your thoughts!
