Technology
Instagram head claims engagement drops by half without recommendation algorithm
Hacker News reports that Adam Mosseri warned disabling ranked feeds sharply reduces user activity.
The short version
- Instagram leader Adam Mosseri told an Australian briefing that user engagement can decrease by up to 50% without recommendation systems.[Hacker News]
- Mosseri delivered the comments as Australian regulators deliberate on proposals mandating prompts to disable feed ranking.[Hacker News]
- Instagram previously restored non-persistent chronological feeds in 2022 amid U.S. political scrutiny.[Hacker News]
- European regulations have required large platforms to provide feeds without profiling since 2023.[Hacker News]
Key facts
- Adam Mosseri claimed user engagement can drop by up to 50% when algorithmic ranking is disabled on Instagram.[Hacker News]
- The executive's remarks coincided with Australian legislative discussions regarding rules requiring platforms to prompt users to disable ranking.[Hacker News]
- Instagram re-introduced a chronological feed option in 2022 following political pressure in the United States.[Hacker News]
- Under Article 38 of the European Union's Digital Services Act, large platforms have been required to provide non-profiling feed alternatives since 2023.[Hacker News]
What remains uncertain
- Independent verification of Mosseri's internal engagement and satisfaction drop metrics remains unavailable.[Hacker News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.