To be able to present its user with personal and relevant content and thus the best user experience, Instagram constantly updates and modifies its algorithms. This bachelor thesis investigates how continuous changes in algorithms on Instagram are affecting the social media strategies and activities for professional account holders such as companies, influencers and other media profiles. To approach the issue, email-based interviews and content analysis have been used as qualitative methods in the study. These two methods have allowed this thesis to examine in what way continuous changes of the algorithms can result in an experience of increased difficulty according to professional account holders in terms of their marketing activity. Aswell, it examines whether the sorting mechanism contributes to a perception of reduced visibility on the platform. The thesis discusses relevant factors to execute marketing activity effectively and successfully on the platform; these factors are summarized into a need for engagement and interaction, visibility and knowledge of the consumer's interaction pattern. How these factors matter is described in the study. After analysis of collected data it was found what account holders consider negative with Instagram’s algorithms, which is answered in this thesis. The result of the study shows that there is a perceived reduction in visibility and increased difficulty for professional account holders in terms of marketing activities. From a larger perspective, the study discusses potential challenges in terms of how algorithms and content filtering can affect the whole field of Information Architecture.

In 2016, Instagram announced an update in form of algorithmic personalization to improve user experience (UX) by showing “the moments we believe you will care about the most”.  This resulted in dissatisfaction and confusion in users, for instance expressed through the hashtag #RIPINSTAGRAM on social media. When algorithmic personalization is not properly explained, past research shows that user experience is negatively affected. This study examines if this is also the cause behind the consequences of Instagram's algorithmic personalization. Through qualitative interviews this study examines how non-commercial users have adapted to algorithmic personalization on Instagram and how this affects their user experience. Our study shows that attitudes and knowledge towards algorithmic personalization on Instagram varies. The results indicate that users could improve their experience by implementing strategies that clearly signal to the algorithmic system what they care about the most.