Instagram prioritizes Reels with New Interface Test in India and South Korea
Instagram is testing a redesigned user interface in India and South Korea that places a greater emphasis on Reels, the platform’s short-form video feature. The new layout, first previewed earlier this month with the launch of Instagram’s iPad app, moves the Reels tab to a prominent second position in the central navigation bar, alongside Stories.
The update shifts the Direct message (DM) button to the central navigation bar and introduces a “Next” tab offering users three feed options: ”All” for recommended content, “Friends” for posts from close connections, and “Latest” for chronologically ordered updates.Users can navigate between these tabs with a swipe gesture.
Instagram plans to roll out the new interface globally following the initial testing phase with a limited user group. This shift comes as Meta announced Instagram surpassed three billion monthly users, with short-form videos being shared 4.5 billion times across platforms – indicating Reels are a key driver of growth. Consequently, Meta intends to further highlight Reels and direct Messaging within the app’s design.
