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How Instagram Works and Influences User Experience

How Instagram Works

Note: The following blog post is based on the information directly received from Instagram itself.

We all rely on Instagram to connect, share, and explore. But how well do we understand the way it works? To clear misconceptions and foster transparency, Instagram has shared insightful explanations about its algorithms, ranking system, and the overall user experience. I have gone through it and share the key points on how Instagram works with you. You can read the original post here

What is “The Algorithm”?

Firstly, Instagram emphasizes that there isn’t a single ‘The Algorithm’. Instead, the platform uses a variety of algorithms, classifiers, and processes, each with its specific purpose. These tools aim to maximize the value of users’ time on the app by personalizing their experiences.

Instagram’s journey has evolved significantly since its inception in 2010. Initially, Instagram was a simple, chronological feed of photos. However, as user engagement grew, Instagram introduced a ranked Feed system in 2016 to ensure users saw the posts they cared about most. Different parts of the app—Feed, Explore, Reels—use different algorithms based on how users interact with them.

Ranking Feed and Stories

Instagram has designed the Feed and Stories primarily to show content from friends, family, and accounts that users closely interact with. Ranking in these sections involves several steps.

Firstly, the system defines the set of posts to rank, primarily comprising recent posts from accounts that users follow. Then, it analyzes various ‘signals’—data about the posts, the people who made those posts, and users’ preferences. Some important signals include information about the post, details about the person who posted, the user’s activity, and their interaction history with the person who posted.

From these signals, the system makes a series of predictions on how likely users are to interact with a post in different ways. Based on these predictions, posts are ranked in users’ Feeds and Stories. Instagram continually refines these signals and predictions to better cater to users’ interests.

Community Guidelines and Misinformation

Instagram employs strict Community Guidelines to ensure user safety. Posts that repeatedly violate these guidelines may lead to penalties, including account suspension. In cases of misinformation, posts are labeled accordingly and shown lower in Feeds and Stories.

How Explore and Reels are Ranked

The Explore section and Reels work slightly differently, designed to help users discover new content and entertain, respectively. The ranking process involves defining a set of posts, considering signals like users’ past interactions, the popularity of a post, and information about the person who posted. However, Instagram also maintains Recommendation Guidelines to avoid potentially upsetting or sensitive content.

The “Shadowbanning” Controversy

Instagram acknowledges accusations of “shadowbanning,” where users feel their content reach is unjustly restricted. They reassure users that fluctuations in engagement are normal and do not necessarily indicate shadowbanning. Instagram commits to increasing transparency around content moderation and developing better in-app notifications for policy violations.

Influencing What You See on Instagram

Users have control over what they see on Instagram. By interacting with content they enjoy and using features like ‘Close Friends’, muting accounts, and marking posts as ‘Not Interested’, users can actively shape their Instagram experience.

Instagram is committed to improving user experience by refining its ranking technology, making fewer mistakes, and increasing transparency about its processes. Future updates promise to help users further tailor their Instagram experience to their liking, so stay tuned.

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