Instagram is experimenting with a new Reels-first experience in India and South Korea, signaling a significant shift in how users interact with the app. This redesigned interface prioritizes short-form video content by presenting the Reels page immediately when opening the app, rather than the traditional photo grid. Meta, Instagram’s parent company, has explained that this change comes as short videos have become a major driver of engagement across its platforms.
Initially unveiled at the introduction of Instagram’s first iPad app earlier this month, the new layout keeps recognizable features like Stories at the top of the screen while introducing a number of significant navigational changes. The Reels tab now takes the second place in the navigation bar, and the direct message (DM) button has been shifted to the middle for convenience. Users can easily explore content by swiping between these tabs.
Furthermore, the Following tab now offers three different feed options and has been moved next to Reels. “Friends” presents content from mutual connections, “All” gives suggested posts and reels from accounts that have been followed, and “Latest” presents the most recent posts and reels in chronological order. This maintains the app’s emphasis on short-form video while giving consumers more control over how they consume information.
Instagram notes that a small user base is presently being used to test the Reels-first interface. Once the design is perfected, the business has stated that a worldwide rollout is the ultimate goal. Instagram is implementing the test as part of a larger plan to improve user engagement and optimize navigation so that users can access the services they use most frequently more quickly.
Instagram has topped 3 billion monthly users, according to a recent announcement by Meta. Short-form video content is largely responsible for this milestone. A major factor in this rise has been reels, which have been reshared over 4.5 billion times on Instagram and other Meta platforms. Instagram is adjusting to the evolving ways users engage with content and connect with their networks by giving Reels and direct messages a larger place in the design.
The focus on short videos reflects a wider trend in social media, where users increasingly prefer quick, easily consumable content. The Reels-first experience makes it simpler for audiences to discover new creators and trends, encouraging engagement and resharing. The redesign also streamlines communication through the repositioned DM button, making it easier for users to stay connected while exploring Reels and other posts.
As Instagram continues testing this interface in India and South Korea, user feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the global rollout. If successful, the Reels-first experience could redefine how millions of users navigate Instagram, making short-form video content the centerpiece of the platform while maintaining access to traditional feeds and Stories. This marks a strategic evolution in Instagram’s approach, aligning its interface with contemporary content consumption habits and enhancing overall engagement.
