Instagram Introduces Controversial New Font: Assessing Criticisms Explained

New Instagram Font Sparks Debate over Accessibility and Creativity

Instagram has introduced a new font named Rosalía, inspired by the Spanish pop singer, as part of its push to "make things more fun." The font, which mimics Rosalía's handwriting and is designed to be bold and expressive, has divided opinion on the platform.

According to Instagram boss Adam Mosseri, the update aims to provide lightweight ways for users to be creative. However, the new font has received criticism for its accessibility. Award-winning journalist Liam O'Dell has raised concerns about the font's potential impact on users with visual impairments.

O'Dell, in a series of Stories, asked for feedback on the readability and accessibility of the font, particularly from blind and visually impaired individuals. Responses indicated that the font is hard to read and inaccessible. O'Dell urges users to think twice before using the typeface due to these issues.

Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has not yet commented on the accessibility concerns raised about the font. Similarly, Meta has not yet addressed these concerns.

On TikTok, the reaction has been less enthusiastic, with some users calling the font hard to read and even hideous. A viral TikTok clip by user Francesca (@francescabongi) questions the need for the new font, suggesting there might be an upside that is not known.

The addition of the Rosalía font is not the only update Instagram has made recently. Users can now share what they're listening to on Spotify directly in notes. This feature aims to enhance the creative experience further by allowing users to share their music preferences alongside their posts.

However, the debate over the Rosalía font's accessibility remains a significant concern. As the font becomes available to more users over weeks or months, it will be interesting to see how Instagram responds to these concerns and whether they make changes to ensure the font is accessible to all.