Crafting a perfect product is all about adjustment. If it’s too large, you make it smaller. If it’s too small, you make it bigger. This process continues until it’s just right.

That’s sort of how web technology works. If something on a website is running slowly, or the user interface has a major flaw, the developers and coders work to improve it. But, in other ways, the web is not like most products. Oftentimes, out of fear of stagnation in an incredibly competitive field and in search for greater profits, app and website makers will build the perfect product only to tear it down months later.

The line between a successful adjustment and a disastrous one is thin, but you know it when you see it.

Instagram recently made a successful change when it announced it would implement full-size landscape and portrait photos and videos into its feed, which poses as an example of a productive change that empowers the user. Although it seems like a simple alteration, history has shown that some changes can have a damning effect.

Take, for instance, MySpace’s downward spiral into obscurity. Once an online community centered around sharing music, blogging and extremely personalized profiles, MySpace has essentially devolved into just a music-sharing community. It’s hard to pinpoint MySpace’s biggest failure, but for me it was really about one thing: the site pursued money through all avenues at the expense of a better user experience.

Once the site introduced profile backgrounds and other features that cost money to have, I was out. The excessive placement of ads apparently wasn’t enough for them. So, when Facebook came around, I jumped ship to a social media site that had a polished look, was easy to use and didn’t make me feel like it was trying to sell me something.

It’s important to remember MySpace’s demise. Twitter recently removed the option for users to have a more personalized profile and replaced it with a white screen, a move reminiscent of the change MySpace made. All theories are speculative at this point, but there is a prevalent thought that at some point, that white space will be filled with ads.

If Twitter chooses to do this, it could be taking a step into dangerous waters. Users like change if it gives them more access or control while maintaining a similar experience, such as Snapchat adding features like Discover and Live, but not if it makes them feel like the experience is depreciated by advertisements.

That’s why Instagram’s move was just the right touch. Aside from a few square loyalists, it’s doubtful anyone is going to throw up their arms when they see the new feed. The site is adapting to the increase in phone screen size while maintaining the integrity of the product.

Paul Sarconi is a junior broadcast and digital journalism major. His column appears weekly. He can be reached at pjsarcon@syr.edu and followed on Twitter @paulsarconi.

Published on September 2, 2015 at 12:56 am