In a recent post, Instagram Chief Adam Mosseri discussed the discrepancy between follower counts and true account value, acknowledging the potential for gaming and cheating within follower metrics. Despite this recognition, Mosseri’s own apps, including Instagram and Threads, prominently display follower counts, prompting questions about the emphasis placed on these metrics.
This discrepancy highlights a broader issue within social media platforms, where follower counts can inadvertently drive negative behaviors and experiences. Former Twitter Chief Jack Dorsey similarly noted the unintended consequences of emphasizing follower counts, leading to the promotion of polarizing content to gain more followers.
While Instagram has taken steps to address this issue by hiding like counts on posts to “depressurize” the platform for young users, the prominence of follower counts remains a point of contention. Mosseri’s stance on the matter, while contradictory to traditional metrics-driven approaches, raises questions about the implementation of alternative strategies within his own apps.
Despite Mosseri’s acknowledgment of the limitations of certain features, such as Trending Topics, his apps continue to incorporate them. This inconsistency prompts further inquiry into why alternative approaches, advocated by Mosseri himself, are not prioritized in app design.
While there may be merit in exploring alternative metrics to reduce emphasis on follower counts, the reluctance to implement such changes underscores the challenge of shifting paradigms within social media platforms. As the person in charge, Mosseri’s stance on follower metrics raises questions about the potential for experimentation and innovation within Instagram and Threads.
