Instagram Adjusts Video Quality for Less Popular Videos

Instagram is making waves with changes to how it handles video quality, favoring popular content over less-viewed videos. In a recent revelation, Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, confirmed that the platform employs different video encoding settings based on a video’s popularity. While the shift aims to enhance the viewing experience for widely watched content, it raises concerns about how smaller creators are affected.

How Instagram Determines Video Quality

Mosseri’s Explanation

In a video shared on Threads, Mosseri explained the logic behind Instagram’s decision to adjust video quality. According to him:

  • Popular videos are streamed in higher quality to provide the best user experience.
  • Videos that receive fewer views initially may experience lower-quality encoding after their peak engagement period.
  • This adjustment ensures resources are allocated efficiently while prioritizing high-engagement content.

He added, “If something isn’t watched for a long time — because the vast majority of views are in the beginning — we will move to a lower quality video.”

The Debate Over Instagram’s New Approach

Advantage for Popular Creators

The platform’s decision aligns with its broader strategy to enhance engagement through high-quality streaming. Popular creators and influencers stand to benefit as:

  • Their videos are more likely to gain visibility through better streaming quality.
  • Enhanced visuals can attract additional Instagram comments, likes, and shares, increasing their content’s overall reach.

Challenges for Emerging Creators

However, smaller creators might face hurdles, as videos with lower quality:

  • May struggle to retain viewers.
  • Face difficulties gaining traction if initial engagement is low.

This policy has sparked debates among users, with some describing it as “truly insane” and potentially discouraging for less popular creators.

What This Means for Creators

For those looking to adapt to these changes, here are a few tips:

  1. Focus on the First Few Seconds
    Capturing attention quickly can increase initial engagement, ensuring your video receives better treatment under Instagram’s algorithm.
  2. Leverage Reels and Stories
    Using Instagram’s diverse features can help maximize visibility and boost interaction.
  3. Strategic Engagement
    Investing in verified comments or other engagement services can amplify your content’s appeal, ensuring it reaches a wider audience.

Mosseri’s Clarification on Adjustments

To address concerns, Mosseri emphasized that:

  • Quality adjustments are minor and based on aggregated data, not individual user actions.
  • Instagram uses a sliding scale for encoding quality, ensuring fairness while managing resource allocation.

Mosseri reassured creators, stating, “We bias to higher quality for creators who drive more views.”

The Bigger Picture

This change reflects Instagram’s focus on enhancing user experience by optimizing resources. However, critics argue it could widen the gap between established influencers and emerging creators. As Instagram continues to evolve, balancing visibility for all creators will remain a key challenge.

For more insights on Instagram’s latest policies, check out how Instagram Says Including Your Own Logo on a Reel Is Fine and how this affects branded content.


Author Bio:

Jane Doe is a digital marketing specialist and content creator passionate about helping emerging influencers navigate Instagram’s evolving algorithm. With years of experience in social media strategy, Jane provides actionable insights for creators to grow their online presence effectively.

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