Following user complaints, Instagram announced Thursday that it would tweak its algorithm to make it more likely for newer posts to appear toward the top of users' feeds.
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"With these changes, your feed will feel more fresh, and you won't miss the moments you care about," the Facebook-owned app announced in a blog post.
When Instagram first launched in 2010, users saw posts in chronological order. But since it was acquired by Facebook in 2012, "posts became sorted by other factors like, say, 'the likelihood you'll be interested in the content,'" Tech Times reported.
In March 2016, Instagram announced another algorithm to reorder feeds and "show the moments we believe you will care about the most."
Though the new update will bring back some order to the app, Instagram isn't returning to a chronological feed, spokesman Gabe Madway told the New York Times.
“Instagram’s feed ranking is powered by machine learning, which is constantly adapting and improving based on new data,” Madway said. “But this is a nice change that people should notice.”
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In addition to the algorithm change, Instagram is also testing a “New Posts” button to avoid the automatic news feed refresh that bumps users to the top as they scroll without warning.
Instead, users can click the “New Posts” button and choose when they’d like to refresh.
“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,” the company said.
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