What Even Is Instagram Now?
6 days ago
- #privacy concerns
- #social media
- Mary Shelley's Frankenstein metaphorically describes Instagram's current state as a stitched-together monster of features.
- Instagram is experiencing an identity crisis by continuously adding features from other platforms like Snapchat's Stories and TikTok's Reels.
- Meta's strategy involves mimicking successful features from competitors, leading to a cluttered user experience.
- Recent additions include a location-sharing map tool and a Friends Reels tab, sparking privacy concerns and backlash.
- The Friends Reels tab exposes users' liked and commented content, raising invasiveness concerns.
- Instagram's original purpose as a photo-sharing app has been overshadowed by e-commerce, AI tools, and influencer content.
- CEO Adam Mosseri claims Instagram aims to foster intimate connections, but the platform feels dominated by influencers and sponsored content.
- The platform's attempt to refocus on real-life friends feels forced and unconvincing.
- Instagram's evolution is compared to a 'landlord special,' where layers of new features obscure its original identity.