Instagram is rolling out a new personalised algorithm that will change the order of photos and videos in users’ feeds. Instagram claims that people currently miss out on the majority of content in their feeds and is now aiming to improve the experience and show the moments that users “will care about the most.”
The photo-sharing app becomes the latest social media hub to introduce a new algorithm this year following Facebook’s and Twitter’s news feed shuffles. It means that Instagram users will no longer see content in a chronological order from the top downwards, which is the way it has been since 2010.
Optimised order
The new algorithm will take certain factors and signals into account when prioritising content, such as the likelihood of a person being interested in a video or photo, the relationship between users and how recently the content has been posted. However, every post will still be viewable and clearly time-stamped.
“If your favourite musician shares a video from last night’s concert, it will be waiting for you when you wake up, no matter how many accounts you follow or what time zone you live in,” Instagram said in a blog post. “And when your best friend posts a photo of her new puppy, you won’t miss it. We’re going to take time to get this right and listen to your feedback along the way.”
The changes will not be implemented immediately, as Instagram is aiming to roll out the feed gradually over the coming months. Meanwhile, Twitter now appears to have made its new algorithmic timeline the default across the social network. It first announced the changes, which are an evolution on the “while you were away” feature, back in February.
Boost engagement
Facebook also updated its news feed to prioritise live video earlier this month, claiming at the time that users are now favouring real-time content compared to standard, saved videos. The latest moves made by the big three social media sites could be hugely beneficial if they are successful, as the sites will be able to serve advertisers better if users are more engaged with content.
