Instagram will show your friends the Reels you have liked.
Be careful with what you like on Instagram.
Instagram has decided to reintroduce one of its most controversial features, now adapted for the era of short videos. In a statement, Adam Mosseri, the platform's leader, announced that a new tab will be added to the Reels feed, where users will be able to see videos that their friends have enjoyed or commented on. This move recalls Instagram's old “activity” feed, which was removed in 2019.
Mosseri stated that the intention is for Instagram to be not only a space for consuming entertaining content but also a place where users can interact about that content with their friends. In this new section, users will be able to identify which friends have liked a video and who has left a temporary "note" on a Reel.
However, while the idea sounds positive in theory, many users may not wish for their friends to see all the Reels they have liked. Sharing this kind of information can be uncomfortable, as it might influence how people interact with content, leading some to avoid participation for fear of being judged. Additionally, being friends with someone does not necessarily imply sharing interests or hobbies; for example, TikTok's nature is quite personalized, which makes it appealing to many.
Other platforms, such as X, have opted for the opposite direction by hiding posts that users have "liked" to protect them from embarrassing situations. So far, Meta has not responded to questions about whether users will be able to opt out of showing their activity in the new Reels feed.
Instagram could benefit if TikTok is forced out of the U.S. market. Reels represents Instagram's answer to TikTok, although many creators and users feel that the atmosphere of Reels does not match the TikTok experience. While this new feature could create tension and attract some users to the Reels feed, it could also deter those who prefer to keep their interests and activities private.