Instagram's identity crisis deepens as it considers a vertical stories feed

by Nick Cohen
in Industry
— Feb 5, 2021

Share:

Instagram is disabling the ability to share (and reshare) posts from your feed to stories as part of a test to see how it changes engagement with the popular feature. "This is not something we're now testing on Instagram", the Facebook spokesperson said. Alessandro Paluzzi was the first to spot the new feature and his screenshots reveal a fairly simple UI that informs users about the new ability to scroll vertically to view Stories. Facebook-owned photo-sharing platform allows users to share their friends' feed on their story posts, this was used by any user to promote their friends' account and pages because compared to feed stories have a bigger reach to the Instagram audience.

This prototype offers an insight into Instagram's ideas and methods and how it is hoping to be a better rival for TikTok, which has gained unprecedented popularity among the young generation. The feature is being now tested in select countries at the moment, according to Social Media Today.

The new interface is a relatively minor change from the previous version, making it easier for users to browse stories from their laptop or desktop. The platform launched Reels previous year soon after TikTok was banned in India. Most of the Indian short video platforms followed the same vertical feed stories format similar to TikTok.

Does it annoy you when people re share a feed post of theirs to their story in order to let their followers know that they have posted a new picture and in return gain more likes?

Many people browse Instagram from their desktops while at work, as it might be prohibitive or too visual to take out their smartphone. The change was a transparent attempt to give Reels a boost after people were mostly just confused about the new format. In an official blog post Instagram said, "We also added protections to help prevent hackers from compromising your account and deleting posts you've shared". In contrast, TikTok's feed is vertical, so users swipe up to get to the next piece of content.

Share:

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

Discussions ongoing on how to tackle new Bristol COVID variant
Recent tests show that there's already mutation in the Covid-19 strain identified as E484K, which was first detected in South Africa .
2/05/2021

Tony DeAngelo has played his last game for the Rangers
The Rangers (2-4-2) are struggling defensively after eight games this season, and they are last in the Eastern section. The 29-year-old winger stuffed home a loose puck from a sharp angle after beating K'Andre Miller to the back post.
2/04/2021

Joe Biden told Republicans $600bln recovery package far too small
According to Schumer, Biden told Democratic senators he had let the Republicans know "he's willing to make some modifications". Only individuals making less than $40,000 - and families earning less than $80,000 - would received the full amount of $1,400.
2/04/2021

G7 condemns military coup in Myanmar - G7 condemns military coup in Myanmar
She was denied a 1991 election verdict to rule, and in the interregnum survived an assassination attempt in 2003. Western countries have called on the Burmese military to stand down, and have threatened sanctions .
2/04/2021

Morgan Wallen apologizes for using N-word, gets dropped by radio stations
Among the country music stars to speak out is Maren Morris who dismissed the idea that Wallen's latest behavior was just a blip. TMZ first shared video of Wallen arriving home after a night out and using the N-word as he said goodbye to a friend.
2/04/2021

House Set to Vote on Greene's Committee Assignments
And new reporting has also exposed her calls to execute Democratic politicians, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In a tweet on Tuesday, Omar described congressional Republicans' calls for her to be sanctioned as "whataboutism".
2/04/2021

Angelina Jolie is focussed on healing her family
When asked what a typical day in her life looks like, the actor said: "I was never very good at sitting still". But birthdays go on, and I think that for many people, it's made us all feel very human together.
2/04/2021

Twitter blocks Indian accounts on govt orders over farm protests
Jose. executive editor, Caravan India, said on Twitter that their official handle was "withheld" without informing them. Two popular accounts associated with the protest, Kisan Ekta Morcha and Tractor2Twitr, were withheld.
2/04/2021

Canada: Proud Boys Is a Terrorist Entity
However, the group's assets and property are effectively frozen and subject to seizure or forfeiture. Canada is the first country to designate them as a terrorist entity.
2/04/2021

Barty and Osaka make winning returns
At the All-England Club in 2018 she was dismissed 6-3 6-3 by Angelique Kerber and a year later humbled 6-2 6-2 by Simona Halep . Reigning Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin , who was 7-5 up when Camila Giorgi retired from their match, is also through.
2/04/2021