What’s Instagram’s new update (and why I am so chuffed)

Here’s how the new Instagram update will affect your feed, and hopefully make your life much better

Instagram has finally listened, and rolled out a chronological feed update

(Photo by Alexander Shatov on Unsplash)

What’s the one thing we all hate most about Instagram? The stupid algorithm, and how it never shows you posts from your besties, but you do get attacked by dozens of suggested posts from random people you, quite frankly, don’t give a shit about.

The harmful effects of algorithms - beyond annoying users out of their wits - have already been discussed at length, especially when it comes to Instagram. In fact, as reported by TechCrunch, company head Adam Mosseri went through a Senate hearing on the matter of the app’s potential harm to young users at the end of last year.

During said hearing, he promised a 2022 update which will allow people to choose how their feed is structured, and now the update is finally here.

When will my Instagram update?

Well, dear friends, I have good news for you - in an uncharacteristically efficient rollout, the company promised users worldwide, both on iOS and Android, will have access to the coveted update by the end of Wednesday, March 23. So if you haven’t checked for updates yet, have a peep at your settings!

What did Instagram update?

Okay, are you ready? It’s very exciting! If you look closely at the top left corner of your screen, next to the Instagram logo you’ll now be able to see a downward arrow (though you might have to scroll down your feed a smidge, mine doesn’t always appear if I’m right at the top). Clicking on that opens a dropdown menu which allows you to choose from the alternative feed options, “Following” or “Favourites”.

The algorithm feed is still, annoyingly, the default option when you log in, but that won't stop us

Following Instagram feed

This option is essentially a return to the good old chronological feed, where you can see the posts from everyone you follow (hence the name) in order from newest to oldest. This will allow you to easily catch up on recent posts, without the algorithm messing with visibility.

Favourites Instagram feed

Very similar - nay, identical - to the Facebook Favourites option, this Instagram feed setting allows you to handpick up to 50 accounts, and easily stay on top of what they’re posting. This is, quite frankly, the option I am most excited about, as I found the previous post notification option to be a bit rubbish, seeing as it didn’t actually stay in my notifications list.

In addition to keeping up with your best buddies - what I intend to use Favourites for - this is a fantastic option if you want to build a curated list of creators around a certain theme (book merch, fantasy readers, contemporary fiction aficionados, publishers, etc).

But wait, there’s more! When you switch back to the Home Instagram feed option (the one controlled by the algorithm), posts from your favourite accounts will show up higher on your feed, and be marked with a star icon.

Personally, I am chuffed to have these new options, and will probably be more likely to scroll through my feed now than I was before. What do you think? Will you be changing to one of the new Instagram feed options?