The way users explore videos on Instagram is about to change. The photo-sharing app will be upgrading the Explore feature to include suggestions for video channels based on user interest.
The update, which is currently only available for Instagram users in the U.S. with the 7.20 version of the app, will have two new features: a “Videos You Might Like” section and a “Featured” channels area.
“Even with these changes, Explore still works the same way: It connects you to posts about your interests from people you don’t yet follow,” said Instagram in a blog post. “The more you like, the better Explore gets, adjusting to your preferences and showing you more of the stuff you enjoy. And if you see something you don’t like, tap “See Fewer Posts Like This” in the ‘…’ menu to make your Explore experience even better.”
After getting the update through the App Store and Google Play, users will notice the “Videos You Might Like” category in the personalized channel, which has a grid of videos. After scrolling through the grid, “Featured” channels appear that are organized by topics and showcase content from accounts the user does not follow. The “Featured” channels section will adjust to learn the user’s preferences based on their “Like” posts. Should the algorithm get it wrong, users can select the “See Fewer Posts Like This” button in the menu.
Last month, the Facebook-owned app increased the length of videos on the platform from a 15 second limit to 60 seconds. Videos, which were first introduced to the public in June 2013, have become increasingly popular amongst the app’s 400 million-plus users, as multimedia content has increased by 40 percent in six months.
“We want to bring you fun, flexible and creative ways to create and watch video on Instagram,” said Instagram on their blog. “As part of our continued commitment, you’ll soon have the flexibility to tell your story in up to 60 seconds of video. This is one step of many you’ll see this year.”
While the feature is only for U.S. users at the time, Instagram plans to roll it out worldwide.
