Creators Protest Meta’s Policy Limiting Political Posts On Instagram

A report published yesterday by Accountable Tech reveals that Meta’s recent policy to limit political content on Instagram has resulted in a dramatic 65% decline in the reach of several high-profile accounts.

In the policy announcement, the company stated that while users will still see political posts from accounts they follow, posts from accounts they do not follow will be less likely to appear. Meta’s goal is to create a more positive user experience by limiting exposure to contentious political topics.

The report argues that this decline was noted particularly in posts related to voting information, reproductive rights, and advocacy for marginalized groups. Accountable Tech, led by campaigns director Zach Praiss, conducted the study by analyzing Instagram Insights data shared by the accounts involved.

Fortune reports that the study is one of the first to measure the impact of Instagram’s decision to limit political content in its recommendation algorithms, unless users specifically opt in to view such posts.

According to Bloomberg, the decision to decrease the reach of political content drew an outcry from mainly left-leaning creators and groups who were concerned it would suppress information on social injustice. Bloomberg reports that Accountable Tech said it sought participants from both sides of the political spectrum, but left-leaning accounts were the only ones who volunteered.

In June, Instagram Chief Adam Mosseri told Bloomberg, “We don’t think it’s our place to amplify political news, […] We don’t think it’s our place to show you a hot take on a political issue from an account you do not follow and therefore you did not ask for it.”

Bloomberg also suggests that critics argue that Meta’s definition of political content is vague and that the policy disproportionately impacts credible information from activists and marginalized creators, especially during a global election year.

Accountable Tech reports Ky Polanco, Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director FEMINIST saying, “This form of tech censorship directly impedes our access to crucial healthcare information, silencing voices at the forefront of the intersectional feminist movement and undermining civic engagement, reproductive health, and social justice.”

As Meta continues to refine its approach to content moderation, the impact on both users and content creators remains a subject of ongoing debate.