6 Instagram Updates to Keep Users Safe and Connected

Facebook-owned Instagram is taking a few extra steps (six to be exact) to ensure that it’s users are well-informed, connected and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This move comes hot-on-the-heels of the company’s decision to join Google, Twitter, Reddit and others in an attempt to protect their users from coronavirus-related misinformation.

Instagram says that it will “remove COVID-19 accounts from account recommendations, and is are working to remove some COVID-19 related content from Explore, unless posted by a credible health organization. It will also start to downrank content in feed and Stories that has been rated false by third-party-fact checkers”.

Other Instagram updates include:

1. Showcasing more educational resources in Instagram Search
2. Adding stickers to promote accurate information
3. Removing COVID-19 accounts from recommendations, unless posted by a credible health organization
4. Rolling out the donation sticker in more countries and helping people find relevant nonprofits to support
5. Creating a shared story to help those practising social distancing connect with others, using a “Stay Home” sticker
6. Launching a new way to browse Instagram with friends over video chat

Instagram wants people who for “information related to the coronavirus or COVID-19 on Instagram to see an educational message connecting them to resources from the World Health Organization and local health ministries”.