Will Instagram Finally Admit Defeat in the Battle with TikTok?

The drama behind Instagram Reels, the video feature closely compared to TikTok, continues.

Recently, many users have voiced their concerns about the presence of Reels on Instagram. Even some of Instagram’s most followed content creators shared their disapproval. Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian along with others shared a graphic declaring “Make Instagram Instagram again. (Stop trying to be TikTok I just want to see cute photos of my friends.) Sincerely, everyone.”

This post refers to the amount of recommended content users are seeing as well as Reels. Many complain that they can not even see their friends’ photos because the feed is no longer in chronological order and is cluttered with sponsored content and Reels. Simply put, the people believe: Instagram = photos, TikTok = videos.

Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri attempted to appease angered users by stating “There’s a lot going on on Instagram right now. We’re experimenting with a number of different changes to the app, and so we’re hearing a lot of concerns from all of you.”

Earlier this month, Instagram said it will discontinue the full-screen version feed display (which was a test) and reduce the number of recommended videos, photos and accounts that users come across.

With these changes set to take effect, I still don’t believe users will be satisfied as CEO Mark Zuckerberg is “confident that Reels will grow engagement overall and quality and will eventually monetize closer to Feed.”

It doesn’t look like Instagram will wave the white flag anytime soon. Unfortunately for them, that doesn’t mean users will stop voicing their hatred for their “copy-cat TikTok” style.