Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri has made a surprising statement regarding the Threads app, revealing that it is intentionally designed to steer clear of news and politics. In a conversation with The Verge, Mosseri emphasized the app’s focus on maintaining a positive user experience and catering to other interests. This stance aligns with Meta’s efforts to distance itself from news and politics, marking a significant shift in their approach.
Mosseri explained that including news and politics content invites excessive scrutiny and negativity, compromising the integrity of the app. Instagram already hosts thriving communities centered around sports, music, fashion, beauty, and entertainment, which do not necessitate engagement with political or news-related content.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has been taking steps to distance itself from news and political content, as well as addressing concerns about the promotion of controversial content. These measures include reducing the visibility of political content on Facebook and renaming the Facebook Feed to exclude the term “News.” In addition, Meta recently announced its intention to remove news from both Facebook and Instagram in Canada to comply with new regulations.
While Threads may be perceived as Instagram’s response to Twitter, Mosseri has broader ambitions. Aligned with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s vision to reach 1 billion users, Mosseri aims to create a public square within Instagram that offers a more positive space for conversations. The goal is to attract users seeking a constructive and uplifting environment, drawing them away from other platforms.
The intentional avoidance of news and politics in Threads reflects Instagram’s commitment to providing a focused and enjoyable user experience while reevaluating its role in disseminating news and political information.