Instagram Wants to Be More Than Just a Social App
Instagram is no longer just about selfies and Stories. The app is setting its sights on becoming a better search engine. In a recent podcast appearance, Instagram head Adam Mosseri shared how the platform is working to improve its search features. He admitted that Instagram has fallen short in this area, especially when it comes to searching for content, not just profiles.
This shift comes at a time when Gen Z is changing how they search online. Many younger users now prefer TikTok and Instagram over Google when looking for answers.
Why Instagram’s Search Needs a Makeover?
Mosseri was honest. He said Insta’s content search just isn’t good enough right now. Searching for specific videos, posts, or trends is harder than it should be. That’s mainly because the team behind Instagram search has been small, until now.
Meta has now boosted that team, planning improvements that will roll out in the coming months. These updates aim to make it easier to discover content and help creators get more value from their posts—even after the first 24 to 48 hours.
Competing with TikTok and Google
Instagram knows TikTok is already ahead when it comes to content discovery. TikTok suggests searches based on comments, which often reflect what users really want to know. Instagram wants to do the same.
Mosseri revealed that a new version of the app will focus more on surfacing relevant searches from comment sections. This could help users find deeper context around trending posts and connect with more useful content.
The Bigger Picture for Users and Creators
The social media platform’s push into search is more than just a feature update. It shows Meta is ready to compete where it once lagged behind. For everyday users, it means finding relevant content faster. For creators, it’s a chance for their posts to live longer and reach more people.
As fewer users post to the Feed and more stick to Stories and DMs, Instagram wants to reshape how content is discovered and shared. With search as the new battleground, Instagram is stepping into a fresh role, part social network, part discovery engine.
The road ahead is long, but the vision is clear: Instagram wants to help you find what matters.
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