Instagram has recently made significant cuts in line with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's "Year of Efficiency," eliminating 60 technical program manager positions.
The decision, which is part of Meta's larger restructuring efforts, not only streamlines the company's management layers but also highlights the ongoing challenges the tech titan faces in terms of regulatory scrutiny and societal impact.
Efficiency Mandate and Job Cuts
The efficiency mandate introduced by Mark Zuckerberg in March 2023 continues to shape Meta's operational landscape into 2024.
TechCrunch reports that Instagram, a flagship platform under Meta's umbrella, recently informed a large number of technical program managers that their positions would be eliminated (via Business Insider).
These layoffs affect technical program managers across the organization, according to sources and a post on the Blind app.
The move is consistent with Meta's initiative to "flatten" its management structure, evident since last year's layoffs and reduction in management ranks.
Technical program managers, who sit between engineers and product managers, will have two months to reapply and reinterview for available product manager positions. Failure to find a new job within this timeframe will result in termination by March.
Instagram's Content Creation, Teen Engagement Strategy
Concurrently, Instagram is reorganizing its product teams, signaling a shift in focus to three new areas: Creation, Creators, and Friend Sharing. This strategic move seeks to strengthen support for creators deemed most influential in driving teen engagement on the platform.
Despite legal challenges from over 40 states alleging a negative impact on young users' mental health, Instagram remains committed to teen engagement.
Meta and other tech giants, including X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Snap, and Discord, are preparing to testify before the Senate on child safety at the end of the month.
Dealing with Regulatory Pressure
The upcoming Senate hearing is expected to question Meta and its peers about their platforms' ability to protect children online.
Meta recently announced changes aimed at improving teen safety on Instagram and Facebook in response to these concerns. Content that is automatically restricted for teen accounts includes posts about self-harm, graphic violence, and eating disorders.
The company's proactive approach to teen safety appears to be an attempt to appease regulators while also addressing the ongoing lawsuit, which claims that Meta has profoundly altered the psychological and social realities of a generation of young Americans.
Ongoing Restructuring and Staff Reduction at Meta
As Instagram continues to streamline its overall structure, Meta's efficiency-driven approach is not limited to Instagram. Last year's layoffs and reduction in management ranks were just the beginning, and in a meeting with employees, Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg hinted at more changes.
As the company evaluates projects and teams in order to "wind down," Meta is eager to bring its overall headcount closer to 2020 levels following a massive hiring spree.
Related Article: Meta Enhances Teen Safety on Facebook, Instagram: Expands Restrictions on Self-Harm, Eating Disorders
