I'm sure they are always changing the alg like all social media companies, but the habits of people have changed. They are most likely adjusting to it.
But the main thing that effects your app experience is who you follow, what they post, and how you browse. Personally I've always gone straight to the profiles and view from there, but I view IG more as a photo gallery than anything else.
Surely, it could be both: the algorithm changes people’s habits and people change their posting habits based on the activity they think the algorithm is rewarding?
Certainly. The habit changes are just my anecdote. The anecdotes of others such as the mentioned photographers. They are two different perspective (consumer and creator) so I'm sure there are different experiences.
The consumer notices changes of their friends, who is posting what.
The creator notices changes in their impressions, how many is viewing what.
But the main thing that effects your app experience is who you follow, what they post, and how you browse. Personally I've always gone straight to the profiles and view from there, but I view IG more as a photo gallery than anything else.