Photo-based social networking site Instagram has announced that it is changing the order in which images and videos appear in users’ feeds, through the use of personalized algorithms that take account of which content is more likely to interest the user.
So, to use Instagram’s own example, if a user’s favorite musician posts a new video, that video should appear earlier in the feed. Similarly, if the user’s best friend posts an image of their new smartphone, that should be displayed prominently. The user’s relationship with the poster and the timeliness of the image or video will be differentiating factors.
The changes should be implemented gradually; Instagram says that its current focus is on “optimizing the order”, but that it will “take time to get this right and listen to your feedback along the way.” It could be months before many users notice changes, the site has further hinted. There is no mention of whether Instagram will allow any users to, should they prefer it, stick to the familiar chronological feed.
