After copying Snapchat, Instagram has now moved on to copying another social media platform, TikTok. And unhappy users are calling out Instagram.
Recently, Instagram introduced more tools to create and share videos on the app like Remix for photos, new templates for reels, and more. The company also said that all videos shorter than 15 minutes will be shared as reels in the coming weeks which was the last straw for users.
Several celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner have spoken out against the changes, and a post “Make Instagram Instagram Again” demanding the platform to remain photos-centered and not become TikTok has gotten over 2 million likes.
In the face of backlash, the company’s Head Adam Mosseri released a clarification video message on Twitter that defends its decision to pivot to videos.
“Constantly evolving” Instagram will eventually adopt full-screen videos feed like TikTok but will also keep photos
In his video message on Twittter, Mosseri addressed three major users’ concerns: the future of photos on the app, adaptation of videos, and recommendations.
Regarding photos, he said that the full-screen feed is an experiment being tested with a few users for photos and videos and reassured that Instagram will continue to support photos because it is part of their heritage.
One is, if you’re seeing a new full-screen version of a Feed, or you’re hearing about it, know that is a test. It’s a test to a few percentage of people out there, and the idea is that a more full-screen experience, not only for videos but for photos, might be a more fun and engaging experience.
The second thing I’m hearing alot of concerns about right now are photos and how wer’re shifting to video.
Now, I want to be clear: we’re going to continue to support photos. It’s a part of our hertiage, you know, I love photos, I know a lot of you out there love photos too.
He confirmed that over time, the platform is going to be more about videos because current user trends show that more media is consumed and shared in form of videos.
That said, I need to be honest, I do believe that more and more of Instagram is going to become video over time. We see this even if we change nothing.
We see this even if you just look at chronological feed. If you look at what people share on Instagram, that’s shifting more and more to videos over time. So we’re going to have to lean into that shift while continuing to support photos.
Lastly, he said recommendations are not perfect but the company will continue to push new accounts to users as suggestions because it is an effective way for creators to reach new audiences.
Third thing I want to talk about is recommendations…..it is an important and most effective way for creators to reach more people and grow following.
This is need to evolvo because the world is changing quickly and we’re going to have to change along with it.
Mosseri’s clarification post was received with even more criticism and in the comments, users categorically rejected the idea of transforming Instagram into TikTok, even Chrissy Teigen disapproved of the changes.
I don’t want to watch videos on Instagram, period. I don’t want to make videos. All I want is to scroll through pleasant photos, and any data you have saying otherwise is because product changes intruded on my curation.
— Matt Ufford (@mattufford) July 26, 2022
If you don't want to make videos, it's better not to. What I want is an Instagram that is about photos who prefer photos, and is about video for those who prefer that format.
— Adam Mosseri (@mosseri) July 26, 2022
What are your opinions on the new changes? Share them with us in the comments section.
