Instagram’s head says engagement falls by half without the algorithm

Live updates

1. 3d ago

   Instagram head claims engagement drops 50% without algorithms

   Instagram's head warns that removing algorithmic feeds reduces engagement by half and leaves users overwhelmed by brand content. These claims emerge as Australia moves to allow social media users to opt out of algorithms. While the White House has criticized these Australian reforms, the Australian government maintains that the moves do not threaten ties with the United States. This tension highlights a global conflict between regulatory efforts to reduce digital harm and platform arguments that algorithmic curation is essential for user experience.

   Why it matters

   Regulators in the Netherlands previously forced Meta to provide non-algorithmic feed options. Current disputes center on whether algorithms are harmful machinery or necessary tools to prevent content overload.

   What is confirmed

   • Instagram's head states engagement falls by half without the algorithm.
   • The head of Instagram warns users will be overwhelmed by brand content in an algorithm-free world.
   • Australian social media users will be offered the choice to opt out of algorithms.
   • The White House has criticized social media reforms in Australia.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The Netherlands forced Meta to allow users to ditch algorithmic feeds.
   • Chronological feeds are much worse than algorithmic ones.
   • Critics are protecting Orwellian machinery rather than laws that reduce harm.

   What to watch next

   • Data on user adoption rates of the opt-out feature in Australia
   • Official response from Meta regarding the Netherlands' regulatory actions
   Sources used for this update (8)

   1. NPR — Australian social media users to be offered choice to opt out of algorithms
   2. The Guardian — The Orwellian machinery critics are desperate to protect is the algorithms, not laws that seek to reduce harm | Ed Coper
   3. Reuters — Australia sees no threat to US ties after White House criticism of social media reforms
   4. The Guardian — Instagram boss says users will be ‘overwhelmed’ with brand content in algorithm-free world
   5. ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation — Instagram boss warns users will be 'overwhelmed' without algorithm
   6. The Conversation — The Netherlands forced Meta to let users ditch algorithmic feeds. Here’s what happened
   7. 9to5Google — Instagram chief thinks a chronological feed is ‘much worse’ and says the quiet part out loud
   8. The Next Web — Instagram’s head says engagement falls by half without the algorithm
   confidence 90%