Dear Friend –

Our new research reveals a shocking trend: Instagram accounts posting about climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, election info, and more have seen an average 65% drop in reach per post since March. [1]

In February, Meta announced they would begin limiting “political” content on Instagram. [2] In March, after they began implementing the new policy, we immediately began measuring the change in reach for five prominent Instagram accounts to see the effect.

Bloomberg highlighted our first-of-its-kind research showing how Instagram’s decision is deprioritizing crucial content and discussions on the platform about women’s rights, voting, mental health, and LGBTQ rights. [3] One account, Feminist, warned that Meta’s policy could stifle the spread of vital news and believes these conversations should take precedence over Meta's desire to”'lighten the mood.”

“Consumers will ultimately decide how to use the platform,” Ky Polanco of Feminist said. “Meta should let the community see what they want, instead of dictating content.”

Help us spotlight Meta's harmful impact by sharing our groundbreaking findings on your favorite platform:

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Threads

Meta is sidelining credible political content with their lack of transparency and accountability in changing their recommendation algorithms during a crucial U.S. election year. This affects political education, activism, and mobilization, compromising how we share and receive vital information.

With major elections happening worldwide, this new design change impacts democratic processes, social justice, and human rights. It highlights Meta's unchecked power over millions of users and disrupts creators and organizations fighting for the causes they believe in. Join us in uplifting the research and urging Meta to stop limiting political content by default.

Thank you for your support in amplifying this critical issue.

Nicole Gill
Co-founder and Executive Director
Accountable Tech

We see the irony of asking you to take action on the same platforms we’re fighting to hold accountable, but they are… well… dominant. We have to reach people where they are in order to level the playing field -- and we’re ready to bring the fight right to their own platforms.

Sources
1. Accountable Tech: Meta’s Political Content Limit Causes Steep Drop in Reach for Accounts
2. Instagram: Continuing our Approach to Political Content on Instagram and Threads
3. Bloomberg: Instagram Views for Major Accounts Drop With Meta Shunning Politics

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