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Yesterday, Instagram announced some changes to the News Feed that might quiet some of the grumbling that’s been going on ever since the app switched from a Chronological to an Algorithmic feed. No, the rumors were not true and the company is not going back to the chronological feed in full, but your Instagram feed will begin surfacing newer posts closer to the top of your feed from now on.
The announcement comes less than a week after Instagram was forced to debunk a viral rumor that it was testing a return to the Chronological feed. But it seems that rumor might have contained a grain of truth.
Yesterday’s update is actually two-fold. First, newer posts are now “more likely to appear first in feed” so you don’t have to scroll through a bunch of posts from several days ago in order to see images that were posted this morning. And Second, the feed will no longer update automatically; instead, Instagram is testing a “New Posts” button that allows you to manually refresh the feed only when you’re ready.
The latter change is a response to feedback that “it can feel unexpected when your feed refreshes and automatically bumps you to the top.” I can personally relate to this annoyance, and I’m sure some of our readers can, too.
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| Profile names and hashtags are now clickable in your Instagram bio. |
Finally, right before this announcement went live, Instagram also revealed that it would now allow users to link hashtags and profile links in their bio. So if you add your professional photo profile to your personal bio or visa-versa, that @-name will now be clickable. Same goes for hashtags.
Adding a level of security to this, whenever you link someone’s profile in your bio, their account will receive a notification, and they can choose to remove the link.
All of these changes are rolling out now, although the News Feed changes still in the ‘testing’ phase. To take advantage of the updates yourself, just make sure you’re using the latest version of Instagram on either iOS or Android.
Press Release
Changes to Improve Your Instagram Feed
Today we’re introducing changes to give you more control over your feed and ensure the posts you see are timely.
We’ve heard it can feel unexpected when your feed refreshes and automatically bumps you to the top. So today we’re testing a “New Posts” button that lets you choose when you want to refresh, rather than it happening automatically. Tap the button and you’ll be taken to new posts at the top of feed — don’t tap, and you’ll stay where you are. We hope this makes browsing Instagram much more enjoyable.
Based on your feedback, we’re also making changes to ensure that newer posts are more likely to appear first in feed. With these changes, your feed will feel more fresh, and you won’t miss the moments you care about. So if your best friend shares a selfie from her vacation in Australia, it will be waiting for you when you wake up.
Over the next few months, we’ll be sharing more about improvements we’re making to feed. Our goal is to be the best place to share and connect with the people and interests that matter most to you.
Introducing Hashtag and Profile Links in Bio
Today, we’re introducing hashtag and profile links in bio, a new way to express yourself and the things you care about. Now when you include a # or @ in your bio, they become live links that lead to a hashtag page or another profile.
In December, we introduced the ability to follow hashtags, giving you new ways to stay connected with the interests, hobbies, passions and communities you care about. With hashtag and profile links in your bio, you can express yourself and your interests right in your profile. Whether you’re a #guitarlover, into #pencilsketching or have a #makeuptutorial account, now you can link to any hashtag or profile you want.
To add a hashtag or profile link in your bio, just tap on Edit Profile and go to the bio section. When you type a # or @, you will see a list of recommended hashtags and accounts in the typeahead. Once you select the hashtags and accounts you want, they will automatically be linked in your bio.
When you mention someone else’s profile in your bio, they will receive a notification and can choose to remove the link to their profile. Their profile will remain in your bio but without a link.
Instagram has always been a place for self-expression, and now there are even more ways to express yourself and your interests. To learn more, check out the Help Center.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
