Instagram's new algorithm favors originality over reposts
Instagram is implementing significant changes to its content recommendation system, focusing on promoting original content and supporting smaller accounts. The platform is taking action against aggregator accounts known for reposting others' content without proper attribution. Instagram will now remove such reposted content from its platform-wide recommendations, specifically targeting serial reposters who share unoriginal content more than 10 times in a month.
Reposting accounts face temporary recommendation suspension
Under the new policy, Instagram's Explore page or main feed will no longer feature content from aggregator accounts. However, these accounts can regain their recommendation eligibility 30 days after their last repost of "unoriginal" content. This change will not affect "a set of publishers" identified by Instagram who have licensing agreements or resharing permissions from content creators.
Instagram prioritizes original content in recommendations
Instagram is also working to replace reposted content in recommendations with the original creator's post. This switch will only occur when the original post is "relatively new" and when the system can confirm that the posts are identical "based on audio and visual signals." Creators will be notified when their original content replaces reposts and gets recommended on the platform.
Instagram's new labeling system for original content
Despite these changes, followers of an aggregation account will still see their reposted content on their profile or in feeds. Additionally, Instagram plans to introduce a label crediting the original creator. Both the original creator and the account reposting the photo or video will have the option to remove this label. This new policy is expected to impact not just meme-stealing content mill-type accounts but also individuals who regularly repost content from organizations, celebrity fan pages, and similar accounts
Instagram revamps recommendation system with new algorithm
In an effort to level the playing field for all creators, Instagram is introducing a new ranking algorithm for its recommendation system. Previously, reels were ranked primarily based on how an account's followers engaged with them, favoring accounts with the largest followings. The new system will show a content to a small audience, regardless of whether they follow the creator or not. The top-performing Reels in that group will then be served up to a wider audience.
