Instagram’s trying out something new to provide more transparency for Reels clips – wait, why does that sound so familiar? Didn’t TikTok do something similar? It might be the word ‘transparency’. Instagram’s looking to add more Reels transparency by listing the location of the profile that created the clip directly on the video itself.

Enable Location?

Based on this example shared by Salman Memon, Instagram is now displaying location information on some clips. Here’s the attached explanation:

“Instagram is providing this information because, in rare cases, accounts may be misleading people about where they’re based.”

If you noticed, there’s also a ‘Learn More’ CTA that, if tapped through, will take you through Instagram’s false information page, which outlines all of the measures that it’s implementing to combat the prevalence of in-app misinformation. It could be a good way to dispel foreign influence operations or, at the very least, make users aware of how groups outside of a certain region might be looking to sway opinions on certain subjects. By listing the location right off the bat, it adds an extra level of much-needed context, which might also help users highlight potential misinformation, and flag it to Instagram.

This ‘new’ process is also relatively simple and unobtrusive – it looks like an easy way to highlight this element, which could play a key role in how a viewer interprets the information presented. Again, contextually, that might just be the single most important factor that instantly makes this a winner.

In recent years, Instagram has added a range of anti-misinformation elements, including false information labels, the removal of questionable posts from discovery, and protective detection via AI. True enough, according to Meta’s most recent Coordinated Inauthentic Behavior Update, the company has now taken down over 200 global networks, from 68 countries, as the company continues to put the squeeze on those looking to use its platforms to manipulate users.

The Wrap

This is another element in that push, and, as noted, it might just be a more significant one than initially thought. One of the core elements often overlooked for the sake of progress is transparency, as well as contextualization. Social Media is fast-paced and ever-changing, which provides a ripe environment for the proliferation of all sorts of good and bad content and trends, with misinformation being among those at the forefront of detractive elements. As such, it’s good to see both Meta and Instagram at least trying to be proactive in keeping up with the different security and online security demands.

Sources

http://bit.ly/3XYwlIu