Instagram reaches 3 billion monthly users, experiments with feed controls

New Delhi: Instagram has surpassed 3 billion monthly active users, according to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram Head Adam Mosseri, tripling its user base since reaching 1 billion in 2018.

In a video update, Mosseri attributed the growth largely to direct messages, Reels, and recommendations; 

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A post shared by Adam Mosseri (@mosseri)

“Almost all of our growth has been driven by DMs, Reels, and recommendations,” he explained. “Because of that, we’re going to continue to focus on those products and reorient the app more around them in the coming months.”

The strategy has, however, drawn criticism from users who want greater control over their feeds, particularly those who prefer photos and content from accounts they already follow. To address this, Instagram will begin testing features that allow people to fine-tune the algorithm behind Reels, and eventually other feeds.

The tool will let users adjust topics Instagram assumes they are interested in. For instance, if the app continues to push college football highlights but a user prefers to see less of it, they can remove that topic from their recommendations.

Instagram is also modifying its navigation bar, replacing the current upload button with a shortcut to direct messages, highlighting the platform’s pivot towards messaging as a key growth driver.

With 3 billion users, Instagram is exploring ways to balance algorithmic recommendations with user preferences to make the experience both expansive and personalised.

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