The popular digital content platform Instagram continues to experiment with new features for its users. The social media platform is reportedly working on a new layout that puts Reels and direct messages (DMs) front and center. Instagram head Adam Mosseri made a statement regarding the update. He announced that, as part of a test, some Instagram users will be able to try out a new menu bar featuring a different tab layout. The new menu bar includes dedicated tabs for Reels and DMs, the app’s two most popular features. If you opt into the test, Instagram will replace the current tabs for feed, search, new post creation, Reels, and your profile with a new layout which one is that swaps the search and Reels tabs and replaces the post creation tab with a new tab dedicated to DMs. Meta’s test also allows users to swipe between tabs for easier navigation.
Instagram’s New Layout Change Will Be Optional
In the post announcing the test, Mosseri acknowledged that such changes “can take time to get used to,” which is why the new layout will be optional for now.
Alongside the long-awaited iPad version of Instagram, the company also publicly announced its plans to prioritize messaging and short-form video content. In fact, earlier in October, Instagram tested a similar tab redesign with users in India, where Reels was set as the default tab and DMs were placed second.
Instagram’s Growth Has Been Driven by Reels and DMs
Mosseri stated, “Reels and DMs have driven nearly all of Instagram’s growth over the past few years, so we’re considering making them the first two tabs in the app.”
Users who joined Instagram back when it was primarily a photo-sharing app may feel uneasy about its gradual shift away from photography, but the change reflects Meta’s decision to align with broader social media trends.
As posts have become more polished and professional, private chatting and sharing have grown increasingly popular. According to Meta, Instagram is evolving into an app where users consume content mostly from people they don’t know and then discuss that content with friends in private group chats. This test more accurately reflects that reality. It remains to be seen whether users will embrace the new layout. We’ll continue to keep you updated as more details about the test emerge.
