Instagram latest update introduced a new feature called “Quiet mode,” as well as improvements to content and supervision tools. In addition, a navigation update for the platform is scheduled for February.
Instagram Quiet Mode
Instagram has launched a new feature called “Quiet mode” to assist users in focusing and setting boundaries with friends and followers.
When enabled, users will not receive notifications; their profile’s activity status will change to “In quiet mode,” and when someone DMs them, an auto-reply will be sent. The feature can be tailored to the user’s schedule, and when disabled, a summary of missed notifications is displayed. The feature is available to all Instagram users, but teens will be prompted to use it if they spend a certain amount of time on the app late at night.
New Ways to Manage Your Recommendations
Instagram is rolling out new features that will give users more control over the content they see on the platform.
More control: Users can now hide multiple items in Explore that they are not interested in at the same time. When a user clicks “Not interested” on a post in Explore, the platform will try to avoid displaying similar content in other places where recommendations are made, such as Reels, Search, and others.
Hidden Words: Instagram is expanding its ability to hide specific words in comments and direct messages to now include recommended posts across the platform. Users can avoid words, emojis, or hashtags like “fitness” or “recipes,” and Instagram will not recommend content with those words in the caption or hashtag. This feature is accessible through the “Hidden Words” section of the Privacy settings.
Instagram’s goal is to give teens more control over their time and experiences on the platform, as well as to make parents more aware of their teens’ choices. The company recently added the ability for parents to view their children’s Instagram settings, including privacy and account settings.
When a teen changes a setting, parents will be notified so they can discuss the change with their teen. Parents can now see which accounts their teen has restricted. The company also provides Family Center and supervision tools to make it easier for parents to discuss their teens’ settings with them.
Availability
Instagram’s ‘Quiet mode’ is now available to all users in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with the company hoping to expand it to more countries soon.
Instagram stated in the post announcing the update that
Giving People Control Over Their Time and What They See on Instagram. These updates are part of our ongoing work to ensure people have experiences that work for them, and that they have more control over the time they spend online and the types of content they see.
