Instagram to test Reels-first app layout in India, shifting focus from photos to video

Instagram is gearing up for one of its biggest design shifts yet. For years, the app has been defined by its photo grid, but that could soon change. Instagram is testing a new Reels-first layout in India, where a select group of users will open the app directly into the Reels feed instead of the traditional photo-based home screen.

This test reflects Instagram’s ongoing transformation into a short-form video-first platform, mirroring the global surge in TikTok-style content. With India being one of Instagram’s largest and fastest-growing markets, the decision to roll out this experiment here first highlights the country’s central role in shaping Meta’s product roadmap.

Reels take centre stage in the new design

What changes for test users?

The redesign shifts Instagram’s focus away from photos and towards Reels, its short-form video feature. For users included in the trial:

• The app will open directly into Reels instead of the photo feed.

• A new “Following” tab will be introduced, complete with a “Latest” filter that displays posts in chronological order — a feature long requested by users.

• Other filters under this tab include:

  • “All” feed: combines followed accounts and recommendations.

  • “Friends” feed: focuses on mutual followers.

Why the redesign?

Meta explained the move by pointing to shifting user habits:

“Messaging has become the most popular way to share photos and videos on Instagram, and Reels are reshared over 4.5 billion times daily across Meta platforms,” the company said.

Clearly, the Reels-first experience is aimed at strengthening engagement and aligning Instagram with what users interact with most.

Beyond India: Navigation redesign planned globally

Although the Reels-first interface is being piloted in India, Instagram has also announced broader navigation changes coming worldwide.

• The direct messages (DM) icon will move to the centre of the bottom navigation bar for easier access.

• Reels will become the second tab, emphasizing video-first engagement.

• Users will be able to seamlessly swipe between tabs, making navigation more intuitive.

This restructuring acknowledges the rise of private messaging and short-form video as Instagram’s most-used features.

The bigger picture: Competing in the short-form video race

Instagram’s decision comes at a time when TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Snapchat Spotlight are fiercely competing for users’ screen time. In India, where TikTok has been banned since 2020, Reels has rapidly filled the gap, becoming the go-to platform for creators and audiences alike.

By making Reels the default landing experience, Instagram aims to cement its dominance in India’s short-video market and further attract creators, brands, and advertisers.

Conclusion

Instagram’s decision to test a Reels-first layout in India signals a defining moment in the platform’s evolution. Once celebrated primarily as a photo-sharing app, Instagram is now firmly repositioning itself as a hub for short-form video and private interactions, the two areas where user engagement is highest. This shift reflects broader industry trends, where platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts are shaping how people consume content globally.

Although the test is currently limited to select Indian users, the accompanying navigation redesign—such as moving the DM icon to the centre and making Reels a core tab—suggests that Instagram is preparing for a global rollout. For Indian audiences, this trial is not just a redesign but recognition of their role in influencing Meta’s product roadmap. If successful, this change could permanently redefine Instagram’s user experience, placing India at the forefront of shaping the app’s global future.