Popular social media platform Instagram is now testing a design shift in India, giving select users a Reels first experience on its mobile app. With this move, the Meta-owned platform will prioritise short-form video and messaging on the platform. This announcement comes shortly after it crossed 3 billion monthly active users worldwide.
With the new test, users in India will be taken directly to the Reels feed when they open the app. Stories will remain at the top, while direct messages (DMs) will be just a swipe away from the navigation bar for easy access. A new “Following” tab will also be introduced, allowing users to explore content from accounts they follow in three different ways: a combined feed, a “Friends” view that prioritises mutual followers, and a chronological “Latest” section.
Meta says the decision to launch this pilot in India reflects the country’s big contribution to Reels culture, which has become one of Instagram’s most popular features worldwide. According to the company, Reels are reshared over 4.5 billion times per day across Meta’s platforms.
Along with the Reels-first trial, Instagram intends to simplify its global navigation system. DMs will be moved to the centre of the navigation bar, Reels will be the second tab, and users will be able to swipe smoothly across sections to make switching between video, chats, and feeds easier.
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With this update, the company hopes to make it easier for users to find content, connect with friends, and share their creative ideas. However, the update has not yet been fully rolled out and may take a few weeks to reach the entire public.