Instagram Lowers Video Quality for Posts with Low Engagement, Confirms Mosseri

Mosseri Confirms Instagram Reduces Video Quality for Less Popular Posts

Source: Engadget

Overview of Instagram's Video Quality Management

• In an AMA, Instagram head Adam Mosseri explained the platform's approach to video quality based on viewer engagement.
• Videos not attracting views for an extended period are downgraded to lower quality to manage resources.

Key Insights on Video Quality Policies

• Instagram wants to showcase the highest quality possible but focuses on performance management.
• If a video sees a resurgence in views, the higher quality version can be restored.

Concerns from Creators and Fairness Issues

• Creators with less visibility expressed concerns that this policy disadvantages them.
• The platform reportedly biases quality for "creators who drive more views."
• Mosseri noted that quality shifts might not significantly impact views, suggesting content quality is prioritized by viewers over visual quality.

Conclusion

• The shift towards adaptive video quality could lead to a disparity for smaller creators, raising questions about fair competition in the algorithm-driven landscape.