In an AMA session over the weekend, Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, offered explanations regarding the reduction in video quality on the platform, which he attributed to performance-related factors. Addressing a query about why some older stories appear "blurry" in highlights, Mosseri explained that Instagram endeavors to display the highest-quality videos possible. However, if a video does not receive significant views over time, as most views typically occur soon after posting, the video may be displayed in lower quality. He noted that if the video experiences a resurgence in popularity, Instagram would re-render it in higher quality. This explanation was shared in a response posted by a Threads user and reported by The Verge.
In a subsequent reply, Mosseri clarified that higher-quality settings, which are more CPU-intensive and require more expensive storage for larger files, are prioritized for creators who generate more views. This statement has raised concerns among smaller creators, who argue that this approach disadvantages them compared to those with larger audiences. Meta has previously acknowledged that it uses "different encoding configurations to process videos based on their popularity" as part of its strategy to efficiently manage computing resources.
Mosseri further explained that the performance system operates at an aggregate level rather than on an individual viewer basis, describing it as a "sliding scale" rather than a binary threshold. When questioned about the fairness of this system for smaller creators, Mosseri asserted that the impact of quality changes is generally minimal, suggesting that viewers prioritize content over video quality. He mentioned that concerns about video quality are more significant for the original creators, who are more likely to remove videos if they are dissatisfied with the quality. Nonetheless, skepticism remains among some users.