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Videos Take Center Stage on Instagram, Frustrating Users 

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Videos Take Center Stage on Instagram, Frustrating Users 

By Movieguide® Contributor

Instagram head Adam Mosseri recently responded to the mounting user complaints against the social media platform’s increased emphasis on videos and reels over photos.

“I want to be clear: We’re going to continue to support photos. It’s part of our heritage,” Mosseri explained. “That said, I need to be honest: I do believe that more and more of Instagram is going to become video over time. We see this even if we change nothing. We see this even if you just look at chronological feed.”

These changes have occurred over the last year as Instagram chases TikTok’s dominance. What began as a simple photo-sharing app has evolved into a video and reel-centered experience, leaving many users unhappy.

For many creators, this algorithm update has forced them to revisit their content promotion methods. Instead of posting photos, users must center their content around labor-intensive reels to increase engagement.

Fashion photographer Tati Bruening even created a petition, calling on Instagram to listen to the needs of creators and users.

“It feels wrong to switch the algorithm on creators that have made a living and contributed to the community forcing them to change their entire content direction and lifestyle to serve a new algorithm,” Bruening said.

Through posts saying “Make Instagram Instagram Again,” many users, from Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner to smaller content creators, have also expressed frustration with these updates.

Another complaint focuses on the large number of “recommendation” posts and reels in feeds.

Mosseri contends that this will help smaller creators reach more people and adds, “If you’re seeing things in your feed that are recommendations that you’re not interested in, that means that we’re doing a bad job ranking, and we need to improve.”

However, Dr. Carolina Are believes that regardless of what Mosseri says, it “really does not feel like you have creators, especially small creators, at heart.

“People create reels because it seems to be the only thing that gets engagement—but they require so much work. Because of IG’s lack of transparency, creators are trying to follow your changes on a system that doesn’t seem to be made for them,” she added.

While Instagram will continue to support photos, its user experience will change, and videos will take center stage in the platform’s future.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.