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Instagram is shifting to videos – users aren't happy

washingtonpost.com

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Re: Instagram is shifting to videos – users aren't happy

#11

Post by matsemann »

If at least the algorithm was any good, people might not have complained as much.

Like, I only follow sport stuff. Some triathletes, professional bicyclists, skiers etc. What does Instagram then decide to show me? A female cyclist with her zipper down and lots of cleavage, a skier in bikini, ass pics of swimmers etc.. Probably that's the most trending stuff related to my interests, but I follow no accounts related to that, anf scrolling through my likes they're nowhere like that, so please show me what I want instead.

Re: Instagram is shifting to videos – users aren't happy

#13

Post by thebradbain »

Say what you want about Twitter, but as someone who's been on it since 2011 and has made it my primary platform for social media since 2016, I'm grateful that fundamentally it's still the same old Twitter.

Yes, they've fallen into the copy-cat temptation machine in some regards – i.e. "fleets" (stories) – but unlike Instagram will at least admit when it's not working and revert (fleets are no longer a feature on the platform). Of course, their failure to innovate definitely cost them TikTok-level success with their mismanagement of both Vine and Periscope, but at least their stubbornness to change has kept the core experience intact.

Obviously there's some larger issues around Twitter's direction ("who is going to be in control of the company?") and the ever-present critiques of misinformation/harassment/"moderation versus censorship" that comes with the territory of being a public forum, but overall it's still the Twitter I know.

I wonder if instagram's downfall will be a boon for Twitter in this regard: at least I know what it is.

Re: Instagram is shifting to videos – users aren't happy

#14

Post by system16 »

It's fascinating how reactionary and directionless Instagram and Facebook have become. Instagram in particular has become Frankenstein's monster over the last few years, pathetically trying to reproduce functionality from other apps. The latest cloning of TikTok's feed is almost embarrassing. It's a testament to how deep the lack of a creative culture at Meta runs.

Re: Instagram is shifting to videos – users aren't happy

#15

Post by cratermoon »

winternett wrote: post #2

It's interesting that they don't care, it's a Marie Antoinette-esque attitude to their lifeblood, and ultimately what will end their dominance. The truth is they converted a free service into a pay service (the gas-lights creators and businesses into paying for visibility). The visibility, even when paid for is not very fruitful for many as well... If you run a small business like a restaurant in the US, but get 40,0…

> it's a rigged carnival game

A major "Aha!" moment for me was when I had it pointed out to me that the social media companies' algorithms that get and keep users attention by showing them what they want can easily be exapted to manipulate the metrics and ad buying behavior.

Re: Instagram is shifting to videos – users aren't happy

#16

Post by alexashka »

jacquesc wrote: post #4

Maybe it'll show up in their usage numbers. I stopped using IG because it's near impossible not to prevent the sound from blasting from accidentally scrolling or clicking on a reel. I feel like a product team that gave any shit whatsoever would give people a mute button that stays put. People use their phones in lots of different locations (with other people around). And phones are constantly blasting music at random…

Is there not a physical mute button on your phone?

Re: Instagram is shifting to videos – users aren't happy

#17

Post by JumpCrisscross »

I’ve developed a deep dislike for Mosseri following his Instagram Kids predation. The lack of empathy seems a recurring theme.

Is there inside ball on why he commands respect at Facebook? Or is there a conservation of clowns rule in play with David Marcus’s departure?

Re: Instagram is shifting to videos – users aren't happy

#18

Post by Apocryphon »

fdgsdfogijq wrote: post #9

Theory on facebook failure/Google failure to innovate: They have the highest leetcode standards out of FAANG. As does Snap. They hire people that basically memorized computer science algorithms. And so their employees are bookish, not innovative people. Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon do not have the same issues with creating new products. Keith Rabois (top VC), mentioned that FB has always prioritized optimization over…

How much leetcoding do their PMs do? I understand your overall point, but I don't think having a high algorithmic/data structures whiteboarding bar for their engineers correlates to Facebook's weakening product abilities. Ditto for Google.

Re: Instagram is shifting to videos – users aren't happy

#19

Post by nrb »

fdgsdfogijq wrote: post #9

Theory on facebook failure/Google failure to innovate: They have the highest leetcode standards out of FAANG. As does Snap. They hire people that basically memorized computer science algorithms. And so their employees are bookish, not innovative people. Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon do not have the same issues with creating new products. Keith Rabois (top VC), mentioned that FB has always prioritized optimization over…

I don’t think the two are connected. It’s more likely that it’s because feature decisions at these companies are made by thousands of product people who have their own performance objectives, most of which are misaligned with the wishes of users.

Re: Instagram is shifting to videos – users aren't happy

#20

Post by samwillis »

vannevar wrote: post #10

Social media companies are in a bind. They're companies, so they have to grow or die. But they're invested in their current platform, and the likelihood of a particular innovation being successful is low, so it's tough for them to do radical R&D, they're limited to tweaking their current platform. This opens the door to startups, which can capture the new (young) users who aren't committed to a platform. A small numb…

> They're companies, so they have to grow or die.

This is a failing of modern corporate culture. There is nothing wrong in reaching a stable equilibrium, becoming profitable, and if you are a public company, paying dividends.

It’s unfortunate that it’s become growth at all costs, there is something to be said about public companies just stabilising, and paying out profits to shareholders.

Now, that’s not to say Facebook is able to reach a stable equilibrium. I think they are struggling to maintain that, and that’s the problem. It’s a case of not loosing market share, especially when you have promised your shareholders the world.

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