After celebrity criticism on Instagram
Platform responds to criticism and rolls back changes
Kim Kardashian (left) and Kylie Jenner supported the criticism of Instagram.
© imago/NurPhoto
Instagram is testing changes that sometimes “frustrate” users like Kim Kardashian or Kylie Jenner. The platform will therefore row back.
When hundreds of thousands of users position themselves against changes and even stars like Kylie Jenner (24) and her half-sister Kim Kardashian (41) speak out against it, Instagram also listens. Controversial functions should disappear again, at least for the time being. Numerous users fear that the platform could turn into TikTok. One of the criticisms is that a trial version, similar to the competitor, displays full-screen photos and videos in the feed.
“Frustrating” for users
in the Interview with tech journalist Casey Newton Instagram boss Adam Mosseri (39) says that users are currently bothered by four points in particular. According to Mosseri, only a small percentage of users take part in the full-screen test, “but some of them don’t like it at all”. In addition, videos have played an increasingly important role on the platform for years, which is “frustrating” for users who prefer image content.
Other users are “upset by recommendations” that do not come from people they follow. The final major criticism comes from users who are frustrated with their range and who believe certain things could be to blame. Sometimes, Mosseri says, it really is, but “usually it’s not.” Instagram now wants to make changes again in the next week or two “to ensure that we listen to the feedback and act responsibly”. The number of recommendations should also be reduced accordingly.
He also admits, “People are frustrated with the new feed designs and the usage data isn’t good.” At the same time he is glad “that we took a risk – if we don’t fail every now and then, we don’t think big or brave enough”. But you have to “definitely” take a “big step back” and regroup.
Full screen test is “paused”
in one Statement to the industry magazine “The Hollywood Reporter” The parent company Meta also confirms: “Based on insights and community feedback, we are pausing the full-screen test on Instagram so that we can explore other possibilities – and we are temporarily reducing the recommendations” in order to improve the user experience.
Last had among other things a petition by photographer Tati Bruening, which has been signed more than 235,000 times, caused a stir. A related Instagram post received more than 2.2 million likes. “Make Instagram Instagram again,” she demands. The platform should stop trying to be like TikTok, after all they only want to see “cute photos of my friends”. Among others, Kylie Jenner (361 million followers) and Kim Kardashian (327 million followers) jumped on the train and thus ensured even more reach.