Che-che-che-changes: Instagram implementing new changes to their platform again
Instagram has gone through quite the transformation in 2019. This summer, Instagram made the controversial decision to test hiding likes from followers in Canada. The motivation behind this change was to create a culture based on connecting with content vs. an online popularity contest. Although some people love the change and find it takes the pressure off creating that ‘perfect post’, others miss the visible engagement. Despite the mixed feelings, Instagram is moving forward with hiding likes as it has now extended to Ireland, Italy, Japan, Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand. They have also changed their algorithms multiple times such as switching from your feed from chronological order, limiting the organic reach to business accounts and focusing more on paid ads.
And the changes don’t stop there. Instagram is introducing 4 new changes to the platform effective October 2019.
1. Threads
Is your personal life hanging by a thread? Instagram has introduced a new feature called “Threads” which is a direct messaging app for your closest friends and family. You might be wondering how this differs from sharing stories directly with close friend groups, or the direct messaging app already built into the platform?
The main differences are:
- Instagram has been an image-based platform, but Threads is a stand-alone messaging app that isn’t solely focused on photos.
- Similar to Facebook, you can add statuses with icons based on what you are doing. If your location services are turned on, it can even auto-update your status to let your closest friends know what you’re up to.
- Although there is no feed like you see on Instagram, you are able to take and send pictures to your closest friend groups.
- Like Snapchat, the images you send can only be viewed once or twice, depending on which setting you select.
Although created by Facebook, users will need to download Threads separately from the app store and pair them with their Instagram account.
To download:
IOS- click here
Android- click here
2. Adding a ‘Create’ Mode to Stories Camera
Create mode is essentially the Throwback Thursday hashtag (#TBT) as a feature. Much like Facebook does, Instagram will show the user their posts on that day from the previous year. It is a way to recycle old content and create an emotional connection with the user by showing their own memories. The “On this Day” features show a random post on the same calendar date of the previous year. You can even re-share to Stories as an embedded post, so your followers can open on your feed.
3. Removal of the ‘Following’ Tab
Commonly referred to as the ‘stalker’ tab, Instagram has officially removed the Following feature. All notifications on Instagram can be found on the heart tab at the bottom right of the app. Within the notification center, there was a column to see the activity on your posts, and the second tab (the following tab) allowed you to see what posts the people you follow were liking or commenting on. The complication with this feature is the privacy implications. A lot of people forget that others can see their activity and have led to some of their private behaviours being ‘outed’ based on their activity. We won’t get into too many details of examples…but you get the picture!
4. Introduces Dark Mode
Who hasn’t spent hours in bed scrolling through Instagram! Can’t sleep? Instagram. Delaying getting out of bed in the morning? Instagram. Many users have complained on Twitter that the bright light hurts their eyes while using at nighttime. The issue actually goes beyond the brightness because using your phone at night stimulates your brain. While Instagram can’t sing you a lullaby to get some rest, it has listened to the customer feedback and installed a new featured called ‘Dark Mode”. This technology isn’t new, and many apps adjust the brightness of their apps according to exposure in the real world (i.e. Waze Navigation, Amazon Kindle etc). Instagram’s background will now be black making it easier on your eyes while in dark rooms.
Instagram has made some dramatic changes in the last 10 months. It is safe to assume that they will continue to tweak the platform over time. What do you think is next in store for Instagram?
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