This report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) analyzes the way in which Instagram’s new algorithm (put in place in August 2020) recommends misinformation to users via its “Explore” and “Suggested Posts” features. Instagram users following anti-vaccine pages, for instance, received recommendations directing them towards antisemitic content, conspiracy theories or misleading information. The warning messages or stickers attached to some misleading pieces of content did not always prevent Instagram’s algorithm from recommending them. The report outlines a series of adjustments that need to be put in place in order to improve the effectiveness of Instagram’s algorithm.
