Instagram Briefly Tested New Horizontal Feed for Main Posts, Wide Rollout Was an Error

[MacRumors]

Instagram recently tested a new way for users to browse their feeds, with a feed that scrolled horizontally instead of one that scrolled vertically. This test hit enough users around the world to get "Instagram Update" and "#NewInstagram" trending on Twitter (via The Independent), but Matt Navarra has confirmed that it was just a test that was meant for a "very small" group of individuals.

Anyone who saw the update should see their feeds reverted back to vertical scrolling soon. With the update, users had to scroll through traditional Instagram posts in the same way that they browse through Instagram Stories: by tapping the right or left edges of the screen. This completely replaced Instagram's typical vertical list of posts that users would scroll through, which led to many frustrated responses to the update on Twitter.

Image via @wordswithsam​

Well @instagram is ruined pic.twitter.com/xNivrzY0NF - Alexandra Arsene (@lexaarsene) December 27, 2018

Although not meant for a wide-scale rollout, the update was apparently an attempt to mimic the stories format for normal Instagram posts, since stories have quickly grown to become one of the most popular additions to Instagram following the feature's debut in 2016. Instagram Stories are now bigger than Snapchat, which is the app that originally created the idea of 24-hour disappearing stories.

Those who got the update saw a brief message: "Introducing a new way to move through posts. Tap through posts, just like you tap through stories." The Independent reported that a massive number of users in the United Kingdom received the update on Thursday afternoon.

Article Link: Instagram Briefly Tested New Horizontal Feed for Main Posts, Wide Rollout Was an Error

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

Yep, saw one just moments back and hated it immediately.
However, even before I could get some pitchforks out, they seemed to have reverted back.

 

[Greenmeenie]

Ha. Well that test was a success. At least they know now that most people think horizontal scrolling sucks. Lol.

Hey instagram, stop messing with the phone app, and release an ipad version already!

 

[WiseAJ]

And hopefully it never comes back like that awful messenger update

 

[nfl46]

Yep, my profile got it this morning as well. I didn’t like it at all!

 

[webperfex]

Tap Tap Tap ADVERTISEMENT (cant tap past it). Reminds me of snap

 

[Optheduim]

I noticed the horizontal feed on Instagram. Lasted about 10minutes. I hated it. Don’t come back...

 

[Smartass]

Cant wait for something new to come along, IG has been a toilet for the last 2 years...

 

[Sefstah]

Chronological order please. Everyone will love you.

 

[tzm41]

XS Max support please come back! Facebook, get your act together...

 

[TheSkywalker77]

I’m so glad they reverted it. The update was pure trash and made me consider uninstalling the app.

 

[puckhead193]

i got the update. at first i was confused... its not to terrible. I do like how the post takes up the full screen on the iPhone X

 

[LandRovers]

Myself and several others got it in the US, unanimously hated it.

 

[dampfnudel]

Ha. Well that test was a success. At least they know now that most people think horizontal scrolling sucks. Lol.

Hey instagram, stop messing with the phone app, and release an ipad version already!

My cynical side wonders if the reason they haven’t bothered to release an iPad/universal version is because they’ve been pondering all this time if full integration of Insta into FB would be okay with Insta users. We can all surmise based on our own feelings that the answer is NO, but now with the original Insta people out...

Anyway, another attempt by FB to move around the furniture when it’s not necessary that only results in an increasingly agitated user base.

 

[DVNIEL]

I hated it immediately. Please oh please let this be a feature we can shut off.

 

[nburwell]

Further proof that Instagram is trash

 

[Ebok]

Ha. Well that test was a success. At least they know now that most people think horizontal scrolling sucks. Lol.

Hey instagram, stop messing with the phone app, and release an ipad version already!

when has instagram ever listened to us though?

us: bring back the old feed
instagram: ok here's a horizontal one that no one asked for

 

[al256]

It happened to me today. I’m addicted to Instagram and wouldn’t even swipe past one pic. I deleted the app in hopes they’ll revert back. I used to spend hours on Snapchat until the update and deleted that app too. - I’ll try to make it another day before reinstalling.

XS Max support please come back! Facebook, get your act together...

I know! I’m glad I’m not the only one who noticed that. I left a one star review hoping they’d fix it.

 

[chainmailr]

Good thing I never update my apps.

 

[jsmith189]

Good thing I never update my apps.

This was definitely something they had built into a previous version, because a whole bunch of people who hadn't updated in a while were seeing it. The old Facebook trick of adding new features early so that they can rollout and people can't just say "well I won't update then".

 

[The Game 161]

Thank god it’s gone. This isn’t tinder

 

[cesko]

Side scrolling is perfect on my iPad Instagram....oh wait.

 

[chainmailr]

This was definitely something they had built into a previous version, because a whole bunch of people who hadn't updated in a while were seeing it. The old Facebook trick of adding new features early so that they can rollout and people can't just say "well I won't update then".

That makes sense, but my version must be so outdated that I didn't get it. I was using the app the day they rolled it out. Luckily FB doesn't force updates; I did the same with Messenger so I don't have ads or stories.

 

[dammyonline]

Yeah got the update and wasn’t crazy about it... glad it reverted to the previous scrolling system