Instagram is working on a "Favorites" feature for its iOS app, one that will allow users to set a priority to accounts that will appear further up the feed, making them more likely to be seen.
Current Instagram users have to rely on Facebook's algorithm to determine which images are seen first. While the algorithm relies on many factors, including how popular a post is in general and how often the user interacts with a particular account, this can potentially lead to users missing out on must-see content on accounts they rarely check.
#Instagram is working on "Favorites"
-- Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) September 9, 2021
Posts from your favorites are shown higher in feed. pic.twitter.com/NfBd8v4IHR
In an examination of the app, mobile developer Alessandro Paluzzi posted to Twitter about a "Favorites" feature, which would allow users to denote specific accounts as their favorite. Any accounts set as a favorite will appear higher in the feed, regardless of their popularity or other signals used by the algorithm.
While users are creating a list, only they will be able to see who is on it, as it is an account-specific list that isn't shared with others. A screenshot also indicates people who are included or removed from a user's favorites list won't be informed of their presence or removal.
It is unclear when Instagram will introduce the feature, though there is always the possibility of it not being rolled out at all.
Instagram is in the midst of major changes, as it evolves from an image-sharing site to a social platform that's closer to TikTok. It has also requested user dates of birth in preparation for introducing more child safety measures.
There has also been criticism of Facebook's plan to create a pre-teen version of Instagram, over safety concerns.