Instagram pushed out an app update that introduced a redesigned feed that removed vertical scrolling in favour of a horizontal feed that you tap through Those who received the update promptly started freaking out and posting to social media about the redesign. Instagram says it didn’t mean to roll the update out as widely as it did, and that it was only intended as “a very small test.”Instagram has now rolled back the update.
Instagram first tested the alternative feature earlier this year, as it considered an update that would allow users to tap horizontally through posts. “We’re always testing ways to improve the experience on Instagram and bring you closer to the people and things you love,” a spokesperson for Instagram told Truncheon at the time.
Instagram apparently chose Thursday to launch another test of the timeline, adding a notice that read, “Introducing a New Way to Move Through Posts,” and told users to tap through posts the same way they tap through stories, endgadget reported.
The test, intended to reach a limited number of users, prompted quick criticism from those who find reading and tapping horizontally harder to quickly—and mindlessly—go through their photo feeds. They vented their dislike on Twitter.
It turns out that Instagram didn’t intend to roll out the update as widely as it did. Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri tweeted out an apology, stating that “this was supposed to be a very small test but we went broader than we anticipated.
I have the new Instagram horizontal scroll interface. I’m sure this will not be met with any backlash WHATSOEVER. But seems maybe intended to reduce mindless vertical scrolling? cc @mosseri comments at the end 😭 pic.twitter.com/fwmtbfjFaf
— Alex Heath (@alexeheath) December 27, 2018
Reply To Alex Heath Apology :
Never get involved in a land war in Asia. Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line. Never roll out a UI update, even a test, between Xmas & NYE.
— Randy Reiss (@undeadsinatra) December 27, 2018
Fair. Also, thanks for following me on Instagram! Though I'm apparently less interesting to you than @davidmarcus…
— Adam Mosseri (@mosseri) December 27, 2018
Seems pretty unanimous. Chrono feeds. Again. You know, like most other services offer or are re-offering again.
— Mike (@savagemikedrop) December 27, 2018
Test it again and we're all leaving and going back to Snapchat…. unless you're permanently giving us chronological feeds and then we're okay.
— Cyditty (@TheLioness212) December 27, 2018
If we're going to have this shoved down our collective throats at some point in the future, please, at least make it optional.
I can't imagine that change would make it to production after the warm welcome it received today, but FB never ceases to amaze in that respect.
— Andrew Krok (@andrewkrok) December 27, 2018