In an attempt to improve the process of recommendation of
Reels, Instagram is testing a new option with users called ‘add topics.’ Apparently,
adding a topic to your Reels clip during the upload process will make it easier
for your Reels content to reach people who share interests that match your Reels
topics.
The option could not just be helpful to creators in terms of maximizing reach and boosting engagement but would also benefit Instagram in enhancing its recommendation systems. With Reels becoming a rising engagement tool across Instagram, and the platform not doing really its best with its existing algorithms, improving the Reels recommendation systems is indeed crucial.
However, all these efforts going into improving Reels give
rise to an important question: do Instagram users actually want it all? The recent
backlash from users against the company for becoming a more video-focused platform,
much like TikTok, suggests that users may not be as excited about new Reels
updates. It will, therefore, be interesting to see if Instagram could keep up
with the challenges that come with the escalating changes that it is bringing
about on its app.
Regardless, the platform is staying true to its Reels
agenda, all while encouraging users, especially creator and business accounts,
to utilize Reels for promotional and marketing purposes.
