Early 2016 is the moment Instagram made several changes related to user experiences, but the newest plan of Instagram changes have caused uproar among users, including bloggers and Instagram celebrities. The changes included several main features such as notifications and settings for multiple accounts, but the one that caused the most uproar is related to the post algorithm. Instagram followed the steps of Twitter and Facebook that tinkered with Timeline and News Feed by using post algorithm based on the things you supposedly like the most.
Changes to Instagram have caused quite a stir among Instagram users, and some Instagram celebrities and business account owners have voiced their concerns online, but how will the new algorithm system responded by users? Will the change drastically alter how you use Instagram as one of the most popular picture-based social media?
Instagram Changes Bring Favorite Posts to Top
Instagram has announced its decision to change its timeline system, which will change how you will see photos from people you follow. Instead of following chronological order based on when the photos are posted, the new system update will bring photos that are most relevant to you, which are picked by the software algorithm in Instagram system. Therefore, instead of seeing the newest posts on top like usual, you will see the most relevant photos on top. Depending on your activities in Instagram, this new Instagram update will make old photos to stay on top of your timeline.
In theory, this sounds great; if you follow lots of Instagram accounts, you will be able to see some of your favorite posts on top. You can also have photos and posts that you are supposedly care about the most. Also, if you want to avoid unending selfies from some of your Instagram friends, the Instagram feed changes will make sure that you are free from those annoyances. However, judging from the reactions of many users, it seems that the changes are not received warmly. The new changes are deemed impractical and inconvenient, and some bloggers even voiced concern about how this will alter their views.
Bloggers Urge Followers to Turn On Instagram Notifications
Not everyone received new Instagram changes that bring “relevant” posts on top instead of the newest ones. Many users follow certain accounts in Instagram because they want to get the newest updates from people they like or care about. If they follow celebrities or other famous public figures, they may want to be able to see the most current news or information, such as concert updates or competitions. The current Instagram timeline also enables users to see the newest posts every time they are uploaded.
With new Instagram changes, the posts that will stay on top of the timeline are old posts that are “relevant” with you. This means you will not be able to see the newest updates immediately, especially if you set the notifications to prevent them from bothering you whenever there are new posts. If you follow Instagram celebrities, you will not be able to see their current posts, and of you want to look for new posts, you will have to scroll down to find them. This can be very inconvenient if you follow hundreds or thousands Instagram accounts; imagine having to scroll down just to find one or two new posts that usually turn up on top!
Thanks to this change plan, many bloggers and Instagram celebrities inundate their followers with messages about “turning on the notifications.” If the change happens, Instagram notifications will be the only way followers can immediately see any new posts and photo uploads. However, this also became a new source of protest, since many users do not want to be annoyed by repeated notification sounds or alerts whenever the accounts the follow update new posts.
New Instagram Changes Will Not Be Sudden
Despite the rage and ruckus caused by the news, Instagram has stated that the company will not apply the change suddenly. On March 28th, Instagram announced in its account page that it has not changed anything. The timeline change based on algorithm is still being tested, and it is only on the accounts of the select few, not random users. Even if Instagram is finally ready to apply the change, it will not be sudden. There will announcements so users do not get surprised.
Instagram has been under fire by its users after doing several changes in the system, but the reactions were not new. Facebook and Twitter also experienced the same reactions when they made change on their News Feed and Timeline, although Facebook apparently got the most scrutiny. So far, users still hope that the company consider the plan, since having chronological timeline is still viewed as more convenient compared to algorithm-based timeline. However, when the inevitable Instagram changes 2016 finally come, at least you will not get shocked.
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