Instagram's chief executive, Adam Mosseri, has warned that users would experience a decline in quality in an algorithm-free environment. He suggested that such a change would result in more brand-related content and less time spent on the app by users.
These comments coincide with the Australian government's plans to allow users to opt out of algorithms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Tuesday that social media platforms would be required to prompt users to choose between an algorithm-recommended feed or a reverse chronological feed of followed pages.
Mosseri, speaking at the launch of Instagram's Algo Confessions series in Australia, did not directly address the Australian government's proposal. He indicated that a "very vocal minority" advocates for a return to reverse chronological feeds, which he believes would encourage more frequent posting, particularly by brands and companies, potentially overwhelming users and reducing engagement.
He acknowledged that Instagram's ranking algorithm "feels like a black box" but stated the company is working to give users more control, such as by opting out of certain topics in recommendations. Mosseri also suggested that future Meta AI models could enable users to interact with the app to understand why specific content is displayed.