Instagram started testing a Reels-first experience for its mobile app in India, following the platform’s recent 3 billion monthly active user milestone.
The new Reels-first interface aims to make Instagram’s most popular features more accessible. This experience is comparable to Instagram’s recent Reels-first release on iPad.
Landing on Reels: Opening Instagram now directs visitors to Reels. Stories remain at the top to provide quick access to friends’ updates.
Quick Access to DMs: Direct Messages (DMs) are only a swipe away in the navigation bar, allowing for speedier discussion access from anywhere in the app.
New “Following” Tab: Users can view content from accounts they follow in multiple ways:
- All: Recommended posts and Reels from followed accounts.
- Friends: Recommended posts and Reels from accounts that follow you back.
- Latest: Chronological posts and Reels from followed accounts, showing the newest content first
Instagram stated that messaging has become the platform’s most popular method of sharing photographs and videos. Additionally, Reels are reshared more than 4.5 billion times per day across Meta platforms.
Meta stressed India as a crucial market for testing this experience because of the diverse range of culturally rich Reels content developed locally that resonates with the global world.
Instagram Navigation bar Change in Global Market
DMs in the middle: To improve accessibility, Direct Messages will be moved to the middle of the navigation bar.
Reels Tab Adjustment: Reels will be moved to the second tab, allowing users to effortlessly switch between Reels, DMs, and other app parts.