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Instagram Testing 'Suggested Posts' as a Priority

Another change in the algorithm

By Allison Murray Allison Murray Tech News Reporter Southern Illinois University Allison reports on all things tech. She's a news junky that keeps her eye on the latest trends. Allison is a writer working out of Chicago, IL, with her only coworker: her cat Norbert. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 23, 2021 04:32PM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Social Media Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming Instagram is testing a change in its algorithm again, this time putting priority on "Suggested Posts" over your friends’ posts. According to TechCrunch, Instagram will begin a test that recommends posts from accounts you don’t follow within your regular feed over those from people you already follow, but have a relatively small number of users. If you don't want to see this feature, the social network will let users remove the feature from their feeds for 30 days. Getty Images/ DeFodi Images Instagram is asking testers to provide feedback when a Suggested Post does not interest them in a bid to fine-tune its algorithm. Suggested Posts initially rolled out on Instagram last year, and currently appear only after you’ve gone through all your feed's content and see the "You’re all caught up" message. Adding the feature as a mainstay in your feed would theoretically keep you scrolling, instead of exiting the app for lack of content. Users who now follow a lot of accounts may rarely, if ever, see the Suggested Posts pop up, but the possible new algorithm would automatically add these types of posts in with the rest of your feed, no matter how many accounts you follow. Instagram is asking testers to provide feedback when a Suggested Post does not interest them to get its algorithm right and show users what exactly they want to see. While this new change is only a test, Instagram has been known to make its tests permanent features. Instagram tested hiding the like count on posts for years and just last month announced that all users could hide like counts if they chose. Instagram also in January started testing removing the ability to share feed posts in your stories, but it seems most people are hoping that doesn't become a permanent feature. Experts say disabling the feature would be a bad idea, especially for small businesses that cannot afford other forms of advertising or sharing important information about certain topics. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Delete 'Suggestions for You' on Instagram How to Edit Instagram Captions How to Use Instagram Shopping Get Started with Reposting on Instagram How to Turn off the Twitter Timeline Algorithm The 8 Best Facebook Alternatives in 2022 How to Use Instagram Does Instagram Notify When You Take Screenshots? How to Clean up Your Facebook Profile How to See Old Stories on Instagram How to Share a Facebook Post to Instagram How to Hide Your Tagged Photos on Instagram 13 Instagram Tips and Tricks to Try How to Hide Posts on Facebook How to Snooze Someone on Facebook What Is Instagram, and Why Should You Be Using It? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies