Instagram brings back Twitter Card preview support for posts
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Ending a nine year long internet feud, Instagram is restoring support for Twitter Card previews. With the new feature, Instagram links shared on Twitter will show a small preview of the link that includes an image instead of just the URL.
The preview will let users have a look at the Instagram post without opening the link. With the latest change, when users share an Instagram link on Twitter, it will display a preview similar to how most articles and other media appear on the microblogging platform. The feature has started rolling out on Android, iOS, and the Web.
"Now, when you share an Instagram link on Twitter a preview of that post will appear," Instagram said announcing the return of the feature, in a new tweet.
They said it would never happen… Twitter Card previews start rolling out TODAY. 👀
— Instagram (@instagram) November 3, 2021
Now, when you share an Instagram link on Twitter a preview of that post will appear. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/XSZRx9dzd1
Instagram had turned off the ability to see previews of posts on Twitter after it was acquired by Meta (formerly Facebook) in 2012. Kevin Systrom, Instagram's founder and former CEO, said that the decision was his, not Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's. Instagram wasn't the only party that made changes limiting Instagram and Twitter's integration, though; Twitter removed a feature that let you find people you follow on Instagram, on Twitter, a few months after the acquisition was announced.
The change was met with backlash, as it made cross-posting more difficult for users. In some cases, users found workarounds through third-party platforms in order to feature Instagram posts in tweets.
Twitter has also acknowledged the change in a tweet, noting that "if you want to share your latest Instagram post on the Twitter timeline too, you're in luck. Now when you share a link to an IG post in a Tweet, it'll show up as a card with a preview of the photo."
If you want to share your latest Instagram post on the Twitter timeline too, you're in luck: now when you share a link to an IG post in a Tweet, it'll show up as a card with a preview of the photo.
— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) November 3, 2021
Rolling out on Android, iOS, and web.