With the EU’s Digital Services Act coming into force in August 2023, Meta allows its European users to opt out of algorithmic feeds on Instagram and Facebook. This will give people a greater sense of control on social media but could challenge marketing strategies on these online platforms.

Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger have launched Artifact, a curated news app driven by AI. While taking cues from the vertical video revolution currently taking over social platforms, it aims to go beyond personalisation by redefining the online reading experience altogether.

Every major social media channel has at least one problem that threatens to drive users away, whether it’s questionable data collection practices or a toxic virtual atmosphere. As people begin to question the value of mainstream platforms, where are they finding a sense of connectedness online?

Short video content and swipe-able feeds have taken over online, with social media and non-social platforms adapting to reflect TikTok. But what’s the impact of the homogenization of platforms? And how will users’ increasing awareness of algorithms change the game for brand discovery?