Instagram head Adam Mosseri says the service needs 'to take a big step back, regroup, and figure out how we want to move forward.'
I’ve been writing about tech, including everything from privacy and security to consumer electronics and startups, since 2011 for a variety of publications.
Instagram has started to roll back some recent changes to its service following widespread complaints about it becoming Facebook’s take on TikTok rather than maintaining its own identity.
Those unpopular changes include the addition of full-screen posts and the decision to fill users’ feeds with content from accounts they don’t follow. (Which, according to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is something Facebook and Instagram will push even harder in the coming months.)
Both of those changes were clearly inspired by TikTok—to put it lightly—and Instagram users weren’t pleased. So now the company has decided to put things back the way they were.
“I’m glad we took a risk—if we’re not failing every once in a while, we’re not thinking big enough or bold enough,” Instagram head Adam Mosseri told The Verge(Opens in a new window) on July 28. “But we definitely need to take a big step back and regroup. [When] we’ve learned a lot, then we come back with some sort of new idea or iteration. So we’re going to work through that.”
It’s clear that Instagram didn’t only make those changes because users complained. The service reportedly(Opens in a new window) has more than 2 billion monthly active users; any change is going to be met with criticism. But it seems the platform’s own data showed that its latest changes were problematic.
“For the new feed designs, people are frustrated and the usage data isn’t great,” Mosseri told The Verge. “So there I think that we need to take a big step back, regroup, and figure out how we want to move forward.”
That doesn’t necessarily mean that Meta is done using Instagram to compete with TikTok. But at least for now Instagram users will be able to enjoy the platform as it currently exists.
Sign up for What’s New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
Advertisement
I’ve been writing about tech, including everything from privacy and security to consumer electronics and startups, since 2011 for a variety of publications.
Read Nathaniel’s full bio
Advertisement
PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering lab-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.
PCMag supports Group Black and its mission to increase greater diversity in media voices and media ownerships.
© 1996-2023 Ziff Davis, LLC., a Ziff Davis company. All Rights Reserved.
PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant.