Meta-owned social media platform Instagram is taking a big step in redesigning its app layout in India. The company is testing a new interface for select users where the default home screen tab will be Reels — strengthening the platform’s video-first strategy.
The new test layout includes:
- Stories will still remain at the top, but when you scroll down, instead of posts, you’ll directly see full-screen Reels.
- Direct Messages (DMs) have been shifted to the navigation bar, making chats quicker and easier to access.
- A new “Following” tab is also being introduced, allowing users to view content in different modes like All, Friends, and Latest.
This change is similar to Instagram’s iPad app, where the app opens directly to the Reels section. It’s clear that Instagram is steadily reshaping the entire user experience around vertical video content.
Big questions remain:
- Will this feature soon roll out globally?
- How will it impact the reach of photo-focused creators?
- Will users be given an option to switch back to the traditional feed?
👉 Overall, this move is being seen as another major step towards making Instagram feel even more like TikTok.