Instagram Chief Says Chronological Feed Would Overwhelm Users

Why Mosseri Believes Users Resist Chronological Order

Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, stated that a chronological feed would likely overwhelm users more than the current algorithm-driven system. He made the remarks during a press briefing in Australia, where the government has introduced a proposal to let users choose between algorithmic and non-algorithmic feeds. The initiative, named My Feed, My Way, aims to give Australians greater control over their social media experience. Mosseri argued that most people prefer the personalized curation the platform provides, even if they express frustration with it at times.

Mosseri explained that while users often complain about algorithmic bias or irrelevant content, switching to a strict chronological feed would expose them to an unmanageable stream of posts. He suggested that without curation, users would miss important updates from close contacts amid a flood of less relevant content. The Instagram executive emphasized that the algorithm helps surface what matters most to individuals based on their behavior and connections. He acknowledged user concerns but maintained that the current model better serves the majority’s needs. Mosseri also noted that transparency about how the feed works could help build trust, even if users don’t gain full control.

Could Giving Users a Choice Actually Work?

Australia’s My Feed, My Way proposal would allow residents to opt out of algorithmic sorting and view posts in chronological order. The government says the move is part of broader efforts to increase user autonomy and reduce potential harms from opaque content ranking. Mosseri did not endorse the idea but said Instagram would comply with local regulations if the rule becomes law. He added that the platform already offers some controls, like the ability to prioritize certain accounts or see posts from followed accounts only. Still, he questioned whether most users would consistently choose the chronological option if given the choice, suggesting habits and convenience might keep them with the algorithm.

What did Adam Mosseri say about chronological feeds? He said a chronological feed would overwhelm users more than the current algorithm-curated version, as it would show too much unfiltered content.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Australia’s My Feed, My Way proposal? It is a government initiative that would let social media users choose to view feeds in chronological order instead of relying on algorithmic sorting.

Would Instagram change its feed globally if Australia passes the rule? Mosseri said Instagram would comply with local laws in Australia but did not indicate plans to extend the option to other countries.