Instagram announced on Wednesday that it’s adding two new modes that change how the main feed works, bringing back the much-awaited reverse-chronological view.
The company calls the two new modes “Following” and “Favorites,” and says they’re designed to “give you more choice and control over what you see” while using the app (that is, let you avoid things like suggested posts and algorithmic sorting based on who and what the app thinks you like).
Instagram also details the Favorites mode in its announcement — basically, you’ll be able to star up to 50 accounts, and posts from them will show up higher in your main feed. You’ll also be able to view those posts in a separate “Favorites” feed, which Instagram says starts with the most recent posts.
Instagram spokesperson Seine Kim told The Verge in an email that “your Favorites list is private to you and will not be visible to anyone else,” which will hopefully keep it from becoming a social battleground like Myspace’s top eight feature.
Of course, everything has a price. In the press release announcing the change, Instagram head Adam Mosseri writes: “Over time, we’re going to add more recommendations to your feed based on your interests.” To me, that sounds like the main, default feed is going to start having more and more content from people I’m not following (which is exactly the complaint that a lot of people have had with the current version of the feed).
As long as the Following feed stays in place, though, that should be bearable. If I have to do a few more taps to get to what I want, it is what it is — just as long as that lovely chronological feed doesn’t go away (though if it does we might see the same outcry that happened when Twitter made its chronological feed harder to access).
These modes have been in the works for a while: Adam Mosseri talked about it a few times last year, and some users have gotten to test it. Instagram even teased that it was coming on Twitter yesterday. Now, though, it should finally be on its way to everyone. To get to either of the alternative feeds, tap on the Instagram logo in the top left corner when you're in the home tab, and bask in the chronological bliss.
Latest Stories
-
We will reduce 2 major expenditure items to improve financial position – BoG assures
22 seconds -
Details of Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill, 2025
2 minutes -
Corrupt chiefs, politicians, others fuelling galamsey in Ghana – Report
9 minutes -
Dumsor Levy: A necessary intervention for Ghana’s energy future
15 minutes -
GPRTU threatens nationwide strike over new GH¢1 fuel levy
18 minutes -
High Inflows from raw natural resources — where is it all leading Ghana, Our Beloved Country?
20 minutes -
DR Congo bans reporting on ex-President Kabila
35 minutes -
We remain policy solvent despite recording GH¢9.49bn Operating Loss in 2024 – BoG
37 minutes -
Dr. Abubakari Sidick Ahmed to be honoured with grand retirement celebration
38 minutes -
Galamsey: Illegal fuel supply point uncovered in forest reserve; Chinese nationals arrested
40 minutes -
Mahama launches ‘One Tree per Child’ initiative to combat environmental degradation
44 minutes -
Endurance Grand calls out the TGMAs for not recognising dancers in Ghana
49 minutes -
Ofori-Atta is major reason for current economic stability – Dr. Domfe
53 minutes -
Mahama strikes gold: Bank of Ghana reserves soar by 1.54 tonnes in five months
55 minutes -
‘Takeaway packs’ to be banned soon – Mahama reveals
59 minutes