One of the most frustrating experiences when launching a social media app is when you’re engrossed in a post, only for the app to refresh the feed unexpectedly before you’ve finished viewing it. This issue has been prevalent on platforms like Instagram and X.
Fortunately, Instagram appears to have addressed this irritating problem. The app will no longer auto-refresh the feed upon opening, unless users manually swipe to navigate. This update was confirmed by Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, during an AMA session.
This was not merely an error, but a conscious design choice with technical reasons behind it. Mosseri referred to the previous system as a “rug pull,” playfully referencing a deceptive practice in the cryptocurrency world where perpetrators abandon projects after cashing in.
Despite its playful roots, this approach was criticized, and Mosseri himself acknowledged it was a poor choice, stating, “It’s really annoying,” as he discussed ongoing changes to enhance user experience.
So what prompted Instagram to adopt such a frustrating method in the first place? Mosseri explained, “We did that because we were trying to load content and it was taking a while, so we showed you something that was already downloaded in the meantime. Generally, it’s good for engagement.”
Ultimately, the decision to eliminate the auto-refresh feature had negative repercussions for engagement, though Mosseri indicated it was a move towards improving overall user satisfaction. “We actually took a little bit of engagement hit for this, but it is a much better experience for the average user,” he remarked.
In other updates, Instagram has recently introduced a collaboration with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) to address the issue of digital sextortion. This initiative aims to inform young users regarding the warning signs of potential exploitation.
Additionally, the platform has implemented stricter controls for accounts owned by users under 16 years of age. These “Instagram Teen Accounts” include safeguards on interactions with strangers and require parental consent for modifications to safety settings.
Just over a month ago, Instagram also unveiled enhancements to user communication features. New additions include AI stickers, derived from Meta’s advancements, now available across their social platforms.
For user convenience, Instagram now allows individuals to pin up to three chats, whether personal or group, at the top of their Direct Messages. Other thoughtful functionalities have been added, such as the option to send silent messages and the ability to view content only once, similar to features found on WhatsApp.