Instagram and Threads to Cease Political Content Recommendations
Meta, in response to increased scrutiny from the European Union targeting tech giants, is undergoing significant revisions to the functionality of its social media platforms. The EU's latest legislative efforts aim to foster a more equitable and competitive digital economy, necessitating stringent regulations.
Among the modifications planned by Meta are adjustments related to a specific genre of content that the social media conglomerate previously promoted vigorously to users due to its capacity for generating substantial engagement.
Those who regularly consume political news via social media apps are likely to be impacted by Meta's forthcoming alterations to Instagram and Threads.
In a recent announcement, Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, confirmed that both platforms will cease the active recommendation of political content to users. Mosseri stated that Meta's intention is no longer to "proactively amplify political content from accounts that you don’t follow."
Consequently, while users will still have access to political content from accounts they follow, they will no longer receive suggestions for political content from accounts outside their follower list.
Over the coming weeks, Meta will refine its algorithms to avoid recommending political content across various recommendation surfaces, such as Explore, Reels, and Suggested Users, on both Instagram and Threads.
Mosseri further clarified that political content posted by accounts ineligible for recommendation can still reach their followers via Feed and Stories.
Despite the cessation of political content recommendations, users will retain the option to access such content if desired. However, these changes will solely affect public accounts and will be limited to areas where Instagram and Threads provide content recommendations.