Has it ever happened that we talk about something, and it suddenly appears on our Instagram flows?This frightening coincidence has usually felt by users, and many of them feel that the app on social media is secretly listening to what they say. However, this skepticism has become more common after a mood was submitted against Apple’s Siri, after being accused of intercepting calls.Recently, Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, made some clarifications about this, but this does not stop the feeling that Instagram can spy.
Instagram Head Debunks Myth about listening to ads conversations
In his video, Mossi directly treated rumors by saying: “We do not listen to you. We do not use the phone’s microphone to intercept you,” added that this claim was a myth that he had discussed several times. Mossi further explained that if Instagram secretly listened to users, it would not only be a “gross violation of integrity”, but it would also be noticed.
Instagram logo (via Instagram on X)
For example, users would see a light on their phone indicating that the microphone was on and that it would empty the phone’s battery.So why do users sometimes see ads for things they have recently talked about? According to Mosseri, “It’s not because Instagram listened to you,”.
He listed possible reasons why some users may have experienced it
- Tapping or searching for products
According to Mosseri, Instagram can serve targeted ads based on the user’s previous interactions with products, “a user may have” lost “on something related or has searched for a particular product online before the conversation started,” he explained. Instagram works with advertisers who provide information about users who have visited their websites. He said: “We are actually working with advertisers who share information with us about who was on their website to try to focus on these people with ads,” prepared to provide personal ads to the audience.
- Friends can share similar interests in the activity
Instagram also takes into account the interests of your friends and people with similar interests in serving relevant ads. If your friends get involved in some products, Instagram can show you similar ads. He explained, “so it may be that you talked to someone about a product and they had previously been looking for or looked for that product.” Mossi noted that Instagram traces the user’s behavior between similar interest groups. If other users with similar interests have been looking for or engaged in certain products, Instagram may target you with related ads. “Or that in general, people with similar interests made exactly the same thing.”
- Psychological aspect behind ad performances
Mossi also discussed how sometimes ads can be shown after you have already seen them, which may make it seem like Instagram “knew” about your conversation. This happens because users often browse ads by ads quickly, and without realizing it, some of that content gets stuck with them. When that subject later comes into conversation, it feels like the ad was somehow linked to the discussion. “Sometimes you internalize some of it, and it actually affects what you are talking about later,” Mossi explained.Finally, he acknowledged that sometimes the appearance of some ads can simply be a “coincidence.” Despite all his explanations, he understands that some users can still be skeptical but emphasized their goal to set the record straight about Instagram’s practice.
