Instagram has launched a new feature called “Quiet mode” and made improvements to content and supervision tools in their latest update. Additionally, a navigation update for the platform is set to be released in February.
Quiet Mode on Instagram
Instagram has introduced a new feature called “Quiet mode” to help users focus and set boundaries with friends and followers.
- When enabled, users will not receive notifications, their profile’s activity status will change to “In quiet mode,” and an auto-reply will be sent when someone DMs them.
- The feature can be customized to fit the user’s schedule, and when turned off, a summary of missed notifications will be shown.
- The feature is available for all users, but teens will be prompted to use it when spending a certain amount of time on Instagram late at night.
New Ways to Manage Your Recommendations
Instagram is introducing new features to give users more control over the content they see on the platform.
More control: Users can now choose to hide multiple pieces of content in Explore that they are not interested in at one time. When a user selects “Not interested” on a post seen in Explore, the platform will aim to avoid showing similar content in other places where recommendations are made, such as Reels, Search and more.
Hidden Words: Instagram is expanding its ability to hide comments and DMs containing specific words to now include recommended posts across the platform. Users can add words, emojis or hashtags they want to avoid, such as “fitness” or “recipes,” and Instagram will not recommend content with those words in the caption or hashtag. This feature can be accessed in the “Hidden Words” section of Privacy settings.
Updated Parental Supervision Tools
Instagram aims to give teens more control over their time and experiences on the platform, and also help parents be more aware of their teens’ choices. Recently, the company added the ability for parents to see their teens’ Instagram settings, including privacy and account settings.
If a teen updates a setting, parents will receive a notification, so they can discuss the change with their teen. Parents can now also view accounts their teen has blocked. The company is also providing Family Center and supervision tools to make it easier for parents to have discussions with their teens about their settings.
Availability
The ‘Quiet mode’ on Instagram is now available to everyone in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and the company says it hopes to expand it to more countries soon.
Announcing the update in the post, Instagram stated that
Giving People Control Over Their Time and What They See on Instagram. These updates are part of our ongoing work to ensure people have experiences that work for them, and that they have more control over the time they spend online and the types of content they see.