Instagram is really set to improve its users’ experience. Together with Facebook, it recently allowed users to choose whether to hide or unhide like counts on a post. The platform also allowed turning audio and video off during a live broadcast and enabled quick reply stickers.
By the 1st week of May, the platform tested re-share stickers for Stories. These highlighted Stories that have been re-shared which Instagram strongly discourages. Since January this year, Instagram has been working out how to reduce or remove the option to re-share Stories from a user’s news feed. So, they changed the Stories algorithm when they tested the re-share stickers.
Unfortunately, some Instagram users have raised concerns about such algorithm changes. They look at it as a form of censorship because it limits the reach of their Stories posts. Celebrities like Bella Hadid and Mia Khalifa are some of the first ones to report such complaints. Because of this, Instagram reverses the Stories algorithm back to its original settings.
Instagram notes that they have already fixed the issue regarding the complaints they received. Although, the platform still encourages posting original content and discourages re-sharing Stories on news feeds.
Instagram reversed the Stories algorithm back on 01 June 2021.
Implications for Marketers:
Instagram reverses back the Stories algorithm as it sees a negative impact on the Instagram community. But it remains solid in discouraging re-sharing content. For marketers, this is something to think about. Original content can position brands and businesses as industry leaders. It also helps them rank on SEO.
