cover image by yukihiro
Have you noticed more short videos when you open Instagram lately?
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, officially announced the reasons behind this shift.
Instagram's Role from Mosseri's Perspective
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, clarified why Instagram does not focus on posting long videos like YouTube.
Mosseri describes Instagram's role in two ways.
The first is to connect users with their friends. Instagram originally functions as a platform to deepen interactions among friends.
The second is to help users deepen their interests. For this reason, Instagram is focusing on shorts, which allow users to quickly catch up on information.
© Adam Mosseri | Screenshot of a post by Adam Mosseri on July 10, 2024
Shorts Make Sharing Easy
For instance, sending a funny comedy video or sports highlight to followers can create common topics. This deepens online bonds and increases offline interactions, according to Mosseri's scenario.
Short videos can be watched in a few seconds to several tens of seconds, making them easy to share. Therefore, it is believed that communication among users is promoted.
On the other hand, watching videos of 10 to 20 minutes reduces the time to view other content, decreasing overall interaction. This also lowers the likelihood of users sharing with friends, hindering Instagram's role of 'connecting users with friends'.
Wasn't It a Photo Sharing Platform? The Decline in Photo Priority
An important point in Mosseri's statement is the lack of mention regarding photos.
Instagram originally started as a photo-sharing platform, but recently video content has been prioritized. Photo enthusiasts may feel that photos are being overlooked.
Is It a Different Strategy from TikTok and YouTube?
Instagram's strategy contrasts with competitors like TikTok. TikTok has recently allowed users to post videos up to 60 minutes long, focusing on long-form videos to compete with YouTube. Meanwhile, Instagram aims to enhance user reactions in a short time by focusing on short videos.
According to Mosseri, shorts have lower production costs and allow users to easily create content, increasing the amount of content. This shift from the initial Instagram goal of 'connecting people worldwide through countless photos' to short videos is significant.
What do you think?
Mosseri's statements are an important message indicating Instagram's direction. The situation where only short videos get attention, and photos are overlooked, might feel a bit lonely for photo enthusiasts.
