Ever scrolled through your Instagram feed and noticed that some older videos look a bit… off? It’s not just your imagination. 

In a candid revelation during his weekly Q&A session, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri pulled back the curtain on a fascinating behind-the-scenes system that’s been quietly shaping our viewing experience.

Here’s how it works: You post a crisp, beautiful video to your Instagram Stories or Reels. In those first golden hours, your content shines in all its high-definition glory. But as time passes and views potentially slow down, your video’s quality shifts based on its performance.

But here‘s where things get really interesting. This isn’t just about saving server space or bandwidth. Mosseri revealed that Instagram operates on a “sliding scale” that inherently favors creators who consistently pull in more views. Think of it as a VIP pass for video quality – the more popular you are, the better your content looks.

You can read more here.