Instagram’s Video Quality Changes Worry Creators

Instagram’s decision to lower the quality of older or less popular videos has upset many creators. The issue came to light when Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, explained that higher video quality is reserved for content that gets more views.

“We focus on higher quality for creators who get more views,” Mosseri wrote in a post on Threads, prompting immediate concerns. One creator, speaking to the BBC, said this approach is “disheartening” for people who put time and effort into their work on Instagram.

“It’s incredibly harmful to a creator’s art,” said 25-year-old Siete Savone, who enjoys using Instagram but feels this change goes too far. “No one should have to worry that their content will look worse just because they don’t have as many followers,” she added.

Mosseri explained that Instagram reduces the quality of videos that haven’t been watched in a while, noting that most views happen soon after posting. If a video becomes popular later, Instagram will improve its quality again.

Still, social media expert Matt Navarra told the BBC that this approach could make it harder for new creators to grow their audience. “How can creators gain popularity if their content is penalized for not being popular?” he asked, saying it favors big creators over new ones.

Cost vs. Quality

Instagram’s decision is also about the cost of streaming videos. High-quality videos require more storage space and computing power, which adds to Instagram’s expenses. While some users understand the need to manage costs, others argue that lowering quality is a poor solution.

“It’s frustrating to put in effort for high-quality content, only to have it downgraded,” one user commented.

Earlier this year, Instagram promised changes to help give all creators an equal chance to succeed. But Navarra pointed out that the new policy doesn’t seem to match that goal, though Mosseri believes viewers care more about content than quality. Navarra suggests that creators should focus on making engaging videos that connect with their audience.

Mosseri clarified that Instagram doesn’t reduce video quality one by one but rather adjusts it overall, saying the difference in quality “isn’t huge.” He stated, “Our goal is to show people the highest quality content we can.”

This isn’t the first time Instagram’s focus on video has stirred debate. In 2022, Instagram reversed plans to prioritize short-form video after backlash from creators and celebrities who preferred its photo-sharing focus. Now, creators are again expressing concerns, as Instagram tries to balance quality with cost in its video content.