# Instagram Eliminates the Frustrating “Rug Pull” Feature: Key Insights
Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, has recently confirmed the elimination of a contentious feature that many users mistakenly thought was an error. Known internally as “rug pull,” this feature has caused annoyance among Instagram users by making preloaded videos refresh unexpectedly upon reopening the app. In a recent AMA (Ask Me Anything) Story, Mosseri discussed the rationale behind the feature and the reason for its removal.
## Key Insights
– **The Feature:** Instagram’s “rug pull” function made videos in the feed refresh when users accessed the app again. This behavior was bothersome for many, who assumed it was merely a bug.
– **The Reason:** As explained by Mosseri, this feature aimed to load new content while displaying pre-downloaded videos in the meantime, meant to enhance user engagement on the platform.
– **The Decision:** Due to overwhelming user dissatisfaction, Instagram has opted to eliminate the feature, despite its positive effects on engagement statistics.
## The “Rug Pull” Feature: A Deliberate Design, Not a Glitch
If you’re a regular Instagram user, you might have observed that reopening the app caused preloaded videos in your feed to vanish and refresh. Although it appeared to be a malfunction, Mosseri clarified that it was a deliberate feature. During his AMA Story, Mosseri revealed that this mechanism, referred to as “rug pull,” was designed to display preloaded material while new content was being retrieved.
Mosseri remarked, “We aimed to load new content, and since it took some time, we presented you with something already downloaded in the meantime. It generally fosters engagement.” Essentially, this feature was intended to keep users engaged by presenting content while the app worked in the background to obtain new material.
Nevertheless, in spite of its favorable engagement outcomes, the feature was broadly disliked by users who regarded it as disruptive and annoying. Consequently, Instagram has resolved to do away with the “rug pull” aspect.
## Why Instagram is Discontinuing the Feature
Mosseri recognized that the feature was “truly irritating” for numerous users, leading Instagram to remove it entirely. While the discontinuation may have a minor effect on engagement, Mosseri believes that the overall user experience will benefit from its absence.
“Even though average users might not instantly perceive the change, we’ve decided to discontinue it,” Mosseri expressed. This decision underscores Instagram’s dedication to refining the user experience, even at the cost of some engagement metrics.
## An Improved User Experience Awaits
With the discontinuation of the “rug pull” feature, Instagram users can anticipate a more seamless and less exasperating experience when reopening the app. This alteration is expected to be advantageous for both Android and iOS users, enhancing the app’s intuitiveness and user-friendliness.
### New Features for Music Aficionados
In addition to eliminating the “rug pull” feature, Instagram has rolled out a new functionality for music lovers. Users can now directly save songs from Instagram to their Spotify accounts. For instance, if a user enjoys a song in a reel, they can click on the audio track and select the new “Spotify Add” button to store the song in their Spotify library. This feature streamlines the process of discovering and saving music, making it more user-friendly for those who enjoy merging music with their Instagram experience.
### Threads: An Expanding Competitor to X (Formerly Twitter)
In related news, Mosseri, who also oversees Instagram’s sister platform Threads, recently revealed that Threads has exceeded 275 million monthly active users. Launched as a rival to X (formerly known as Twitter), Threads continues its rapid growth. However, Mosseri admitted that there is still considerable work needed to improve and enhance the platform.
## In Conclusion
Instagram’s choice to eliminate the “rug pull” feature is a positive development for users who found it disruptive. While the feature was meant to boost engagement, its removal illustrates that Instagram prioritizes user experience over statistical metrics. With additional functionalities like the option to save songs directly to Spotify, Instagram keeps evolving to meet the diverse needs of its user base. As the platform continues to grow and adapt, users can look forward to more enhancements and innovations in the future.
For the time being, Instagram users can enjoy a more pleasant and less frustrating experience without the “rug pull” feature, while music enthusiasts can take advantage of the new Spotify integration.
