Instagram plays down algorithim change after user backlash

Instagram is seeking to reassure its millions of users after a backlash over its proposed timelines changes.

The app plans to switch to ‘algorithmic timelines’, which will see the photo sharing app sorting posts according to users’ interests rather than list them chronologically.

Celebrity posters, who are worried their photos may no longer be seen by as many people, have urged their followers to “turn on notifications”.

But Instagram said there was no reason to panic.

“We’re listening and we assure you nothing is changing with your feed right now,” the photo-sharing app said in a tweet.

Algorithmic filtering is nothing new. Instagram-owner Facebook does this on its own news feed, sorting posts using data calculations based on which status updates it thinks are most relevant to the user.

Twitter does it too, popping up tweets from while you were away with the goal of surfacing those deemed to be the most interesting as well as pushing up sponsored posts from advertisers.