…
Due to online criticism from users, influencers, and celebrities, Instagram says it is stopping the launch of new features on its app.
One of the new features was a more extensive selection of video recommendations, akin to the rival app TikTok.
People complained about the presentation and feeds since they thought they weren’t seeing as many photographs of their friends and relatives.
The parent company of Instagram, Meta, stated that it will “take time” to make the adjustments properly.
The rise in popularity of Instagram’s rival TikTok, where users post and watch more video than still images, is thought to have inspired the redesign of Instagram toward more video content.
The TikTok app is the first program not owned by Meta to reach this milestone, according to data from digital analytics firm Sensor Tower, which shows that the app has now been downloaded more than three billion times worldwide.
The test version of the updated app will be phased out in a matter of weeks, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri told The Verge.
Earlier, Mr. Mosseri posted a video explaining the shift to video, stating that full-screen films will be prioritized above images.
But following some criticism, he issued a string of tweets stating that he wanted to “continue promoting photography.”
Mr. Mosseri’s Twitter video prompted a remark from American model Chrissy Teigen, who claimed that users “don’t want to make films” and are experiencing less interaction for images.
Reality TV stars Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner also posted on their stories a “petition” online to “Make Instagram Instagram again.”
The author and content producer, Toni Tone, commented about how annoyed she was with the changes and how Instagram was much better when she received stuff from the users she selected to follow.
Read Also: Why is Instagram the most powerful tool for entrepreneurs
A spokesperson for Meta told the BBC: “Based on our findings and community feedback, we’re pausing the full-screen test on Instagram so that we can investigate other options.” We’re also temporarily reducing the number of recommendations you see in your feed so that we can improve the quality of your experience.
The Kardashian Sisters ‘Slams’ Instagram
Along with other Instagram content creators, reality TV stars Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner have criticized the platform’s new look.
The Meta-owned platform was urged to “make Instagram Instagram again” in posts by Ms. Jenner and Ms. Kardashian on their Instagram Stories.
Instagram’s attention has recently switched away from individual postings and toward its own brief video format, Reels. Some users are saying that Instagram should “stop trying to be TikTok
Adam Mosseri, the CEO, said in a reel on Tuesday that the company has undergone “a lot of change all at once.”
While promising users that photographs would remain on Instagram as “part of our legacy,” he said that he thought Instagram would eventually become more video-based.
While continuing to promote images, Instagram will need to “lean into that trend” of users preferring, consuming, sharing, and viewing video on the platform.
Other elements that worry authors, such as a full-screen option, suggestions, and the display of friends’ posts, he said, will be subject to future adjustment.
On July 21, the site unveiled new tools for producers using its Reels feature, allowing them to “Remix” previously shared photos as reels and film and respond to content on front and rear cameras at the same time using a “Dual” feature.
Additionally, Instagram announced that in the upcoming weeks, any new videos that are under 15 minutes in length would be automatically uploaded as Reels.
