Extra individuals are being given the choice to change to Instagram’s new UI, which sees Reels and DMs moved into the second and third tab spots alongside the underside navigation management, and lets you swipe between them, simplifying entry to the most-used components of the app.
As you may see on this instance, posted by creator financial system skilled Lia Haberman, extra customers are actually being prompted to check out the up to date UI, which places extra concentrate on “your favourite areas” within the app.
Instagram chief Adam Mosseri says that possibility is coming to all customers shortly, so when you haven’t seen this immediate as but, you quickly will.
As per Mosseri:
“The primary [tab] remains to be Tales and Feed, Reels is the second tab, DMs are third, and now you can swipe between tabs. We’re organizing the app round what individuals use it for many, which has more and more been reels and DMs. I do know all these adjustments can take time to get used to, so we’re giving individuals the choice to do that early earlier than we roll it out. In the event you’re attempting it out, let me know what you suppose.”
Actually, it’s most likely not a significant shift, although it should most likely be annoying to press the unsuitable button/s within the app for some time period.
However as Mosseri notes, the primary impetus right here is to make it simpler for customers to entry Reels and DMs, which now see much more use than the primary feed. And as such, re-aligning the platform round these components is smart, although actually, primarily based on the utilization information, we’ll possible ultimately see IG open to the Reels feed straight up as a substitute.
In truth, Instagram’s already testing this out, each within the new iPad model of the app, and with chosen customers in India, giving the Reels feed the primary, up-front focus.

That, ultimately, looks as if the place IG is headed.
I imply, the stats don’t lie: General video watch time on Instagram is up 20% year-over-year, whereas Meta has additionally reported that Reels now make up 50% of all time spent within the app.
Folks might declare to choose the standard IG method, with the nonetheless picture centered most important feed getting the highest spot within the show. However the information exhibits that individuals are utilizing Instagram as an alternative choice to TikTok, with the full-screen video focus being the app’s most participating factor, and DMs forming the connective, social side.
As such, it’s little shock to see Instagram rolling out this refreshed UI.
However the query for social media entrepreneurs is: “How will this influence my technique?”
Nicely, realistically, most likely not a heap. Individuals are already participating with Reels far more anyway, and the primary feed publicity has been outmoded by each Reels and Tales, which is able to get extra focus. Making it simple to swipe throughout to those components might imply that the standard IG feed will get fewer views, however that’s the case anyway, so when you’re critical about IG, you’re most likely centered on Reels and Tales already.
Does that imply that you need to cease posting common feed updates totally? Nicely, no. I’d nonetheless assume that these serve a function, particularly as a secondary step within the discovery course of, when customers faucet by to your profile to see what you may have there. On this sense, feed posts displayed in your most important grid possible do nonetheless have vital worth, although as a most important, brand-building and consciousness focus, Tales and Reels must be the highest precedence.
After all, that is theoretical, and we received’t know what the true impacts are until this new UI is rolled out to a majority of IG customers. However you will need to notice this as a utilization shift, and to watch your information to see what impacts it has on general engagement, and your broader technique.
But it surely’s coming. Whether or not all customers are transformed over to this extra Reels/DM centered method in the end, you do want to pay attention to this shift.
Keep forward of the curve with NextBusiness 24. Discover extra tales, subscribe to our publication, and be a part of our rising neighborhood at nextbusiness24.com