Instagram sparks outrage across social media after it accidentally rolls out new SIDEWAYS feed that makes you tap through posts just like in Stories
- Instagram rolled out an auto-update for some users to show a horizontal feed
- This meant users would have to swipe through posts or tap, as with Stories
- Move was met with instant backlash, and Instagram now says it was an accident
- Head of Instagram says it was intended to be a small test, but rolled out en masse
On Thursday morning, many Instagram users woke up to find the layout of their feed had been completely overhauled. And, they’re not happy.
The update that rolled out to some users has flipped the feed on its side, displaying posts in a horizontal format that you can swipe or tap through – just like Stories.
The move was met with immediate backlash, with many users arguing that the change ruins the app experience and could work against artists and other creatives whose posts may become buried.
Instagram has since said the mass-rollout was unintentional, and says the app will revert to the vertical feed if you restart it.
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An update that rolled out to some users has flipped the feed on its side, displaying posts in a horizontal format that you can swipe or tap through – just like Stories
‘That was supposed to be a very small test that went broad by accident,’ Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram, tweeted not long after the backlash became apparent.
‘Should be fixed now. If you’re still seeing it simply restart the app. Happy holidays!’
But, it wasn’t before angry users took to social media to blast the firm for its decision to flip the feed.
Instagram mentions began trending on Twitter almost immediately after update appeared, with countless users up in arms about the change.
For those who were greeted with the automatic update, the feed no longer shows up as the endless-scroll vertical layout we’ve grown used to.
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Instead, posts appear one at a time on the full screen, requiring you tap or swipe to see the next one.
Tech reporter Taylor Lorenz called out the change on Twitter, noting that not only was it completely different, but also difficult to use.
‘The Instagram feed is sideways now and I can’t figure out how to post to my Story!’ Lorenz tweeted Thursday morning.
‘They took away the swipe left interaction.’
And, she was far from the only user left frustrated by the sudden change.
As criticism quickly built across Facebook and Twitter, however, some users began to notice the horizontal feed no longer appeared to be in effect, sparking speculation that Instagram had pulled the update.
Mosseri confirmed Thursday morning that the firm is walking back the changes, though he did not weigh in on the overwhelming backlash it had received.
According to the Head of Instagram, the update was only intended to be tested by a small group of users.
It’s unclear what exactly went wrong that resulted in the horizontal feed reaching the masses, but users can now rest assured that their feed will soon be back to the way it was.
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