Improving Instagram - Because We’re Overseeing Our Own Likes

Have you ever found yourself scrolling through Instagram and feeling like you're stuck in an endless loop of the same type of content? Or drowning in a sea of toxic comments on that one post you actually care about? Because I have. And well... buckle up, as per usual I have A LOT to say.

Comment Overload and Toxicity: The Dark Abyss of Our Notifications

Look, we all love a good meme or cute video, but when the comment section turns into a battlefield, it's not fun anymore. Instagram needs to step up its game with an AI-driven comment management system. Imagine a world where meaningful comments (the ones you actually care about) get highlighted, and the trolls are shown the door. You could even customize your comment settings, so you only see the witty banter from your friends or the insightful thoughts from verified users, not bots. Bliss!

But the problem doesn't stop there. Have you ever posted something you're genuinely proud of, only to have it bombarded by spam bots or random hate just because your account is public? It’s like Instagram is doing nothing to clean up the cesspool that the comments section has become, and if they do, they unnecessarily remove the comments which do not have any negativity in them and censor the most random words). And let’s not even talk about the DMs filled with unsolicited messages from strangers, adverts for businesses, and random begs to reshare a post to your story. Instagram needs a stronger moderation system, where the true harmful comments are automatically flagged and reviewed before they ruin someone’s day or annoy a poor user.

Content Diversity Algorithm Bias: The Loop of Doom

Ever notice how you keep seeing the same type of content over and over? That’s the algorithm trapping you in a content loop. My idea: a "Content Diversity" feature! This would refresh your feed with a mix of new and exciting posts periodically. You’d get a wider range of content and actually discover new stuff. Plus, you could tweak the diversity settings to control how adventurous your feed gets.

And while we’re at it, how about fixing the Explore page? Instead of showing us the same recycled content from popular creators, how about giving smaller accounts a chance to shine? It’s frustrating to see the same influencers over and over, while fresh, unique voices are buried under the algorithm’s favoritism. Instagram could incorporate a “Discover New Creators” section, where users can find up-and-coming talent in their areas of interest. It would make the platform so much more vibrant and inclusive. Make it more like Pinterest!

Ads and Sponsored Content: The Necessary Evil

Let’s talk about ads. Look, we get it. Instagram needs to make money, but the current ad experience is far from ideal. The constant barrage of irrelevant ads is not only annoying but also disrupts the user experience. How about a more personalized ad experience? Instagram could use the stupid algorithm to show us ads that are actually relevant to our interests. And for the love, can we get an option to stop ads for all like on YouTube Premium?

Additionally, sponsored content from influencers needs better labeling. Too often, it’s hard to tell what’s an ad and what’s genuine content. Clearer labeling would build trust between influencers and their followers. Instagram could implement a standard format for sponsored posts, more than what is already implied, making it obvious when content is paid for without disrupting the aesthetic of the platform.

Privacy Concerns: Big Brother is Watching

Another major gripe is privacy. Instagram collects an overwhelming amount of data on its users, and many of us aren’t comfortable with how much the app knows about us. Users should have easy access to privacy settings, make the default private, and a clear understanding of how to protect their information. Instagram could introduce a privacy dashboard for all accounts, regardless of whether they are public or private, where users can see what data has been collected, manage permissions, and opt-out of data tracking if they choose.

Feature Overload: Keep It Simple

Finally, Instagram seems to be suffering from feature overload. Every few months, a new feature is rolled out, often without much thought to its impact on the user experience and annoying all users through its end. Stories, Reels, Shopping, IGTV, Notes – it’s becoming a cluttered mess. Instagram needs to streamline its features and focus on improving the core functionalities that users love. Rather than trying to be a jack-of-all-trades, Instagram should refine its best features to perfection.

So there you have it, Instagram (or Meta): fix these issues, and the media world will be at your fingertips. Until then, we’ll keep scrolling, liking, and mostly, silently fuming.