Instagram Won't Be Adding a ‘Following Only’ Feed Anytime Soon – Here’s Why
So, you’ve been hoping for Instagram or Facebook to bring back a ‘Following Only’ feed, where you can just see posts from the accounts you’ve actually chosen to follow? Yeah… about that. Instagram’s Chief, Adam Mosseri, has some news you probably won’t like.
In his latest Q&A, Mosseri explained why we won’t be getting that feature anytime soon. He basically said that Instagram has tested it out a few times, and while a small group of people are all for it, it’s not the crowd-pleaser many think it is.
Basically, even though people say they want a feed with just the people they follow, when Instagram tries it out, user satisfaction drops and people end up using the app way less. Who knew?
Why Instagram’s Algorithm-Defined Feed is Here to Stay
Right now, around 50% of what you see in your Instagram feed isn’t even from people you follow. It’s stuff that Instagram’s AI-powered recommendation system thinks you’ll like based on what you engage with. This setup actually keeps people scrolling longer, which, surprise, is what Instagram (and every other social platform) wants.
Think about TikTok – their whole vibe is built around showing you the most entertaining stuff, whether you follow the creator or not. That’s what makes it so addicting. Instagram is now trying to ride that same wave by focusing less on your social connections and more on keeping you entertained.
And yeah, it might feel a bit annoying seeing posts from random accounts, but the data shows it’s a win for Instagram’s engagement stats. They’ve got the numbers to prove it.
Instagram is Still Playing Around with Options (Sort Of)
Now, Mosseri didn’t say they’re completely ignoring people who want a ‘Following Only’ feed. They’ve introduced tools like the Following feed, the ability to Snooze recommendations for a month, and Favorites so you don’t miss content from the accounts you love most.
“There’s a need here, right?” Mosseri said. “We’ve tried to help by creating a Following feed, Snoozing recommendations, and Favorites, but I’m sure there’s more we can do, and we’re going to continue to explore more in the space.”
But let’s be real, the chances of them fully ditching the algorithm-based feed are slim. Why? Because it works. When people are on the app longer, they see more ads, which means Instagram makes more money.
Bottom Line
So yeah, we’re probably not getting a ‘Following Only’ feed. But now you know why! Instagram’s algorithm-based approach keeps people engaged, and ultimately, that’s what matters to them.
Hey there I’m Kylie Simao, owner of a boutique social media marketing agency dedicated to helping new, local and small businesses who want to promote themselves online using social media.