Instagram algorithmic feed (2016): did it need fixing?

They Fixed It / Meta (Instagram)

2016

Meta (Instagram)

Before: Instagram showed posts from people you follow, newest first.
The fix: Switched the main feed to an algorithm that ranks posts instead of listing them by time.
Then: In March 2022 Instagram added Following and Favorites feeds in chronological order. The ranked Home feed stayed the default.

Half took it back

Chronological feed is back, one tap away, never the default.

Your call

More fixes nobody asked for

2016

Apple

Before: iPhones with a standard 3.5mm headphone jack.
The fix: Dropped the jack from the iPhone 7. Phil Schiller said it came down to one word: courage.
Then: Apple announced $159 AirPods at the same event. No iPhone since the 7 has had a headphone jack.

Kept it.

Still gone, ten years later.

Your call

2023

Unity Technologies

Before: Unity's game engine, priced by subscription seat, with no charge per install.
The fix: Announced a Runtime Fee charging developers per install once a game passed revenue and install thresholds.
Then: Developers revolted and the stock dropped. Unity rolled back parts of it within weeks, and in September 2024 new CEO Matt Bromberg cancelled it outright.

Took it back

Back to seat pricing, with Pro up 8% and Enterprise up 25%.

Your call

2016

Kraft Heinz

Before: Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, colored orange with artificial dyes.
The fix: Swapped the artificial dyes and preservatives for paprika, annatto and turmeric, and told nobody.
Then: Kraft waited until about 50 million boxes had sold before announcing the change in March 2016. The ad campaign was built on the fact that nobody noticed.

Kept it.

The new recipe stayed.

Your call