Instagram creepers mourn the app removing “Following” tab this week

Instagram has gotten rid of its long-time existing Following tab that allowed them to see what their friends were posting, liking and following. 

The social media company will eradicate the function starting this week. So it looks like the days of mindlessly stalking your friends and loved ones on Instagram are now over. 

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The Following tab was launched in 2011, before the “Explore” page, as an easy way for users to find new content that their peers enjoy. 

Instagram’s head of product Vishal Shah said that “simplicity” was the “driving factor” to removing the tab. 

People didn’t always know that their activity is surfacing,” Shah said to Buzzfeed. “So you have a case where it’s not serving the use case you built it for, but it’s also causing people to be surprised when their activity is showing up.”

An Instagram spokesperson also told Vulture that the company is “always working to make Instagram the best space to share and connect with the people and things you love.” 

While this includes introducing new features, it also means removing old ones that may no longer be useful,” the spokesperson also said. 

The head of Instagram Adam Mosseri tweeted about the removal of the tab. 

While the function has lost its popularity as the app has made so many modifications, it’s not surprising that the social media platform is getting rid of the function. You can see what people had to say about the tab going away on Twitter below.

More news

Instagram recently launched a new messaging app Threads that is a simpler way to communicate with close friends.

Instagram Threads is “a new camera-first messaging app that helps you stay connected to your close friends.” says Robby Stein, Director of Product for Instagram in a blog post.

“For your smaller circle of friends, we saw the need to stay more connected throughout the day, so you can communicate what you’re doing and how you’re feeling through photos and videos,” Stein continued.

Users have the ability to select their close friends, or, import their list from Instagram if they have set one already. Threads then allows users to quickly share photos, videos, and stories with just a tap and a swipe in most cases.

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The ability to set a status may be the craziest, or the newest feature implemented. Unless you count Augmented Reality.  Similar to the days of AOL Instant Messenger, users can set a premade or customized status to update close friends on what they’re doing. This could be anything from studying to grabbing drinks.

It gets a bit strange if you select Auto-Status. This features users your coordinates to attempt to guess what it is you’re doing and update your status accordingly. For safety reasons, Instagram Threads does not share your exact location though, which we appreciate. But just imagine, you’re on a diet and tell all your friends. Then, while you’re enjoying your healthy meal, Instagram shares your status to “chowing down donuts” at the location next to you. This could ruin entire social statuses.

The inbox portion of Threads works exactly like Instagram’s current direct messaging system, except only close friends are shown. Users can customize shortcuts to make the messaging lighting fast. Plus, no moment will be missed with the camera being the default screen upon opening the app.

What do you think of Instagram removing the Following tab? Sound off in the comments down below!

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