How to Make Instagram Chronological Again
Instagram has become an essential part of our daily lives. We often find ourselves mindlessly scrolling through the platform, clicking on photos and videos that catch our eye. In 2016, Instagram decided to change its algorithm from chronological order to a more personalized order. While some people were thrilled by this change, others weren’t too happy about it. If you’re one of those who prefer seeing posts in chronological order, then this article is for you. We will guide you through the steps to make Instagram chronological once again.
The first and easiest step is to turn on post notifications. This will notify you whenever a particular person posts and will give you the option of seeing their posts first on your feed. Simply go to a user’s profile and click on the 3 dots in the top right corner. Then select “Turn on Post Notifications.” This way, you can be sure that you don’t miss any posts from your preferred users. While this doesn’t necessarily put the posts in chronological order, it ensures that you don’t miss anything.
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Why Did Instagram Remove Chronological Order?
If you were a long-term Instagram user, you’d remember fondly the days when your Instagram feed was displayed in chronological order. However, in 2016, Instagram made a significant change to its algorithms, which resulted in adopting non-chronological ordering.
Many users expressed dissatisfaction with Instagram’s decision to remove the chronological order of posts. Many users found the app less enjoyable as they missed out on their favorite posts, and they had to scroll through an endless amount of irrelevant content to find them.
However, Instagram’s decision to adopt a non-chronological ordering was a result of wanting to reduce spam and increase engagement rates. By applying machine learning algorithms, Instagram aimed to display content that users are more likely to engage with and reduce spam content that gets little-to-no engagement. Such changes also had other benefits to marketers and businesses as it allowed them to reach their target audience and boost user-follower engagement.
To better understand Instagram’s algorithm change and how it impacted the app’s users, we will explain the reasons behind it, how it works, and ways to bring back the chronological order.
Why Chronological Order Is Important
Before we dive deep into how Instagram’s new algorithm works, let’s take a moment to understand why a chronological order matters.
Chronological ordering, or displaying posts in reverse chronological order, is essential because it allows users to keep up with their friends or favorite accounts without missing out. After all, a social media app that forces users to scroll endlessly through thousands of posts to look for recent events or photographs is a huge turnoff.
Nevertheless, it is evident that Instagram’s decision to replace chronological feeds with a non-chronological algorithmic feed was directed more towards generating more ad revenue. Also, Instagram’s algorithms have become so sophisticated that users are no longer seen as the audience but rather a commodity in the eyes of the big tech platforms.
How Instagram’s Algorithm Works
As earlier mentioned, Instagram changed its algorithm to stop irrelevant content from cluttering their feeds and to present users with content that they’re more likely to engage with.
The new algorithm uses different factors to determine the content users see on their feeds and in what order. Instagram measures user engagement metrics such as likes, shares, saves, and comments, together with past behaviors such as whom you follow, and things you’ve interacted with, and how long you spend scrolling through your feed.
All this information is analyzed by Instagram’s complex machine learning algorithms that then generate a unique feed for each user’s account based on their interests.
Options to Bring Back Chronological Order
Here are three options to bring back chronological order:
1. Instagram’s “Most Recent” Feature
In 2018, Instagram introduced the “Most Recent” feature as a way to appease those that wanted a chronological order back. Tapping this button displays the newest content in a chronological timeline, but it disappears every time the app is closed.
2. Third-Party Instagram Apps
Several third-party apps, such as Hootsuite, Later, and Buffer, allow users to post content on their accounts and see their feed in chronological order.
3. Self-Filtering Option
Instagram users can filter the accounts they follow to focus only on the accounts they interact with the most. Filtering means cutting back the number of accounts followed. It enables users to see more of their favorite feeds; thus, restoring a sense of chronology to their feeds.
The Verdict on Chronological Order
Instagram’s removal of chronological order sparked a lot of reaction from its users. The new algorithm’s effectiveness in reducing spam, surfacing valuable content, and increasing engagement rates is significant, but users still have the right to determine how they want to curate their feeds.
For now, it is up to individual users to decide whether they want to stick with Instagram’s current algorithm and filter through their feed manually or use the workaround options explained above.
Section 2: How to Optimize your Instagram Feed
1. Use Instagram’s “Recent” Feature
One way to get closer to having a chronological feed on Instagram is by using the “Recent” feature. This feature allows you to view the most recent posts from people you follow, which is essentially what you would get with a chronological feed. To access this feature, go to your home page on Instagram and tap on the three horizontal bars in the top right corner. From there, select “Settings” and then “News Feed Preferences.” You’ll then be able to choose to see posts from people you follow in the order they were posted.
2. Prioritize Who You Follow
Another way to optimize your Instagram feed is by prioritizing who you follow. If you follow too many accounts, you can quickly fall behind on posts, and you might miss out on posts from your closest friends and favorite accounts. Consider unfollowing accounts that you don’t engage with or that don’t post content you’re interested in. This will help ensure that you’re seeing more posts from people you care about.
3. Engage with Accounts You Want to See More Of
Instagram’s algorithm takes into account the accounts you engage with when choosing what content to show you. If there’s an account you want to see more of, make sure you like, comment or share their posts regularly to increase the chances of seeing more of their content in your feed. This is a great way to take control of your feed and see the content that’s most important to you.
4. Take Advantage of Instagram’s Explore Page
The Explore page is designed to show you content Instagram thinks you’ll be interested in, based on your activity on the platform. You can use this section to discover new accounts and content that aligns with your interests. By engaging with posts on the Explore page, you can improve the chances of seeing similar content in your feed going forward.
5. Create and Follow Hashtags
Hashtags are an effective way to stay connected with accounts and topics you’re interested in. By following hashtags related to your interests, you can see more content on your feed that you care about. Additionally, creating unique hashtags for your posts can help improve the discoverability of your content and engage with new users. Be sure to use relevant and specific hashtags to get the most out of this feature.
6. Use Instagram’s “Mute” Feature
If there are accounts in your feed that you don’t want to unfollow but that post content you’re not interested in, consider using Instagram’s “Mute” feature. This feature allows you to hide posts or stories from certain accounts without them knowing. To use this feature, go to the account’s profile and tap on the “Following” button. From there, select “Mute” and choose whether you want to mute their posts, stories, or both.
7. Post Consistently and at the Right Time
Posting consistently and at the right time can encourage engagement and ensure that your posts are seen by your followers. Use Instagram’s insights feature to determine when your audience is most active and schedule your posts accordingly. Additionally, make sure you’re posting quality content that’s relevant to your audience to encourage engagement and increase the chances of being featured on the Explore page.
8. Use Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories can increase your visibility and engagement on the platform. By posting regularly on stories, you can remind your followers to engage with your content and encourage them to view your profile and posts. You can also use stories to show behind-the-scenes glimpses of your life and work, adding a personal touch to your content.
9. Interact with Your Followers
Engaging with your followers can help build relationships and increase engagement on your posts. Respond to comments and direct messages, and use Instagram’s interactive features like polls and questions to encourage engagement. By showing your followers that you care about their feedback and opinions, you can improve your visibility and engagement on the platform.
10. Utilize Instagram’s Advertisements
Finally, consider using Instagram’s advertisement feature to increase your reach and visibility on the platform. Instagram allows you to target your advertisements to specific audiences based on demographics and interests, making it an effective way to reach new users and increase your engagement on the platform. By following these tips, you can optimize your Instagram feed and increase your visibility and engagement on the platform.
5 Potential Ways to Get Chronological Instagram Feed Back
There are countless ways for you to get your Instagram feed to show everything in chronological order. Here are five potential ways to make it happen:
| Potential Solution | Description |
|---|---|
| Uninstall & Reinstall the App | Simply uninstall the Instagram app, wait a few minutes, and then reinstall it. Once you sign back in, the algorithm will reset, and your feed will now appear in chronological order. |
| Switch to a Business Profile | Individual profiles have a different algorithm than business profiles, and oftentimes, business profiles will show everything in chronological order. To do this, go to “Settings,” then “Account,” and then “Switch to Professional Account.” |
| Go to “Settings,” then “Notifications,” then “Posts,” and Select “All Posts” | This will ensure that you receive notifications for every post by every account you follow. However, keep in mind that this solution only applies to new posts, and not ones you may have missed. |
| Use Third-Party Apps Such as “Later” | Apps such as “Later” are Instagram scheduling tools. This app allows users to schedule their posts in advance, ensuring that they are posted precisely when users want them to go live, regardless of Instagram’s algorithm. |
| Engage with Your Favorite Accounts | The more you engage with certain accounts, the more likely they will appear at the top of your feed. Liking, commenting, and sharing content from these accounts increases your chances of seeing their posts sooner rather than later. |
In conclusion, whether you’re an individual or a business owner, it’s essential to have an Instagram account that shows everything in chronological order. Not only does this give your followers the content they genuinely want to see, but it means that your content is seen by the right people at the right time. With these five potential solutions, you can quickly bring back your chronological Instagram feed and enjoy uninterrupted scrolling.
Say Goodbye to Out of Order Instagram!
Thanks for reading through this guide on making Instagram chronological. I hope you found it helpful in organizing your feed the way you prefer. Always remember that there are different ways of making Instagram chronological, so feel free to test out the ones we shared until you find your favorite. Stay updated and visit again soon for more interesting tech tips! Have a great day, and happy Instagramming!
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