Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s head, provided insight into what lies ahead for the platform in a brief video message at year’s end. As the world changes rapidly, Instagram will have to change with it, Mosseri said. The company will increase its focus on video in 2022, among its priorities.
The Instagram CEO stated that Instagram will “unify all of its video products around Reels and continue to build that product.” In October, Instagram killed off the IGTV brand with the intention of bringing long-form videos to the main feed. To watch the full video, users must navigate to Reels.
According to Mosseri, Instagram will bring more monetization tools to creators in 2022 in addition to focusing on messaging (since messaging is probably the most popular way people communicate online) and transparency. Instagram plans to increase its focus on controls as well. The platform announced earlier this month that it would include parental controls in March, and a chronological feed will be returning next year as well.
He highlighted the addition of features like hiding like counts, sensitive content controls, and Hidden Words in direct messages this year, which gave users greater control over their experience. While Instagram hasn’t exactly had a smooth year this year, it has not been without challenges. For starters, its Instagram Kids app has been put on hold due to safety concerns. Frances Haugen, the whistleblower behind the Meta/Facebook reports, stated that Meta knew the dangers Instagram posed to teens’ mental health.
The Senate heard from Mosséri earlier this month that Instagram will provide access to data that would allow third parties to conduct their own studies and draw their own conclusions about the impact of well-being on young people, which aligns with his commitment.