Instagram purists, rejoice: Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri claims that the network has focused too much on videos and that the platform will shift its attention back to images in 2023.
Mosseri made the statement as part of his weekly Q&A series on Instagram Stories.
“I think we were overfocused on video in 2022 and pushed ranking too far, and basically showed too many videos and not enough photos. We’ve since balanced, so things like how often someone likes photos versus videos, and how often someone comments on photos versus videos, are roughly equal, which is a good sign that things are balanced.”
Mosseri adds that photographs will continue to be a primary focus for the app, and that striking the appropriate balance in this regard will be critical.
As previously said, this is wonderful news for Instagram users who have long urged the service to stay true to its roots. Which, over the last two years, it certainly feels like it has, as more video – and, in particular, more Reels – have encroached on user feeds and, in many ways, transformed the vibe of the app altogether.
At times, it appears like Instagram has lost its way and has gotten overly affected by the newest trends, rather than building or preserving its own niche.
Instagram grew in popularity as a result of people putting their memories and compositions online as a form of interactive picture book. Instagram’s rise coincided with the development of phone cameras, and as users became more snap happy with their devices, Instagram provided a means for them to share their content, which eventually saw the addition of filters and simple editing tools to enhance those creations and put more emphasis on shared moments and memories.
But the arrival of Stories changed that. Instagram’s popularity with younger users, and visual focus, made it an ideal vehicle for Meta to blunt the growth of Snapchat, which it saw as a rising competitor, and Stories quickly became a key focus for growth at the app.
That was successful. Instagram Stories effectively stopped Snapchat’s growth for a while, while Instagram usage skyrocketed. As a result, Instagram became a new home for new experiments and features, while the expansion of Stories sparked a larger move towards video – which, like the greater access to still photography capabilities, leaned into the advancement of technology and the availability of video possibilities via mobile devices.
Instagram, on the other hand, appears to be going through an identity crisis. Is it still a photo-sharing app? Is the emphasis on stories? Is it true that Reels have become the most important thing, or is Instagram simply attempting to make it that way in order to eliminate another possible competitor?
Because of the multiple algorithmic changes, the app’s original purpose has been largely eclipsed by Meta’s larger business push. While Instagram usage has increased, it has also gotten more crowded, less focused, and less unique in its value offer.
Mosseri is aware of this and appears to be working to correct it.
Is this to imply that there will be fewer suggestions and more still photos in the main feed?
I wouldn’t hold your breath on the first point, but more photographs may begin to appear as Instagram attempts to re-align with the more real, engaging experiences that launched the initial generation of the service.
However, all of this will be determined by usage. Because more individuals spent more time on the app, video became a significant priority. Still, if Instagram observes higher interaction and time spent as a result of showing users more photographs, it will continue along that road.
However, if it is determined that Reels is the primary driver, you will see more Reels.
Based on what it used to be, it now feels less distinct, less Instagram-like.
However, interacting with additional photographs may assist to send more signals that people still appreciate this material, in addition to everything else.
And with the rise of more authentic social apps like BeReal, it could be a key trend to watch throughout the year.
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