The popular social media platform Instagram has begun testing a new interface that could transform the user experience. Announced by Instagram President Adam Mosseri, this test involves reorganizing the main menu bar at the bottom of the app. The focus of the change is on two of the platform’s most frequently used features, Reels and Direct Messages (DMs). This new design is currently available to a select number of users, but it’s optional.

Reels and DMs will gain greater prominence on Instagram

Users who accept the test will see the current menu layout changed. The new design replaces the current “Explore” and “Reels” tabs. The most notable change is the creation of a dedicated Direct Messages (DMs) tab, replacing the “+” button. This redesign also introduces a swipe feature for users to navigate between tabs more quickly. Meta aims to simplify access to two of Instagram’s most popular features with this change.

Adam Mosseri stated that they acknowledge that these changes can take time to get used to, and that, for now, the new design is optional. However, this test is completely in line with Meta’s long-standing strategy. The company has previously made it clear that it will prioritize short-form videos and messaging features. A similar design change for Instagram was even tested with users in India in early October.

Mosseri summarizes the rationale behind this change by saying, “Reels and DMs have driven almost all of our growth on Instagram over the last few years, so we’re exploring making them the top two tabs.” On the other hand, long-time users who remember the platform’s early beginnings as a photo-sharing app may be uneasy about this transformation. However, this reflects Meta’s decision to follow broader social media trends. Users are now watching videos from creators they don’t know and sharing them with their friends in private chats, and the new interface test aims to more accurately reflect this reality.

What are your thoughts on this potential Instagram interface change? Does the prioritization of Reels and Direct Messages align with your usage habits? Which features do you use most on the platform? We welcome your comments.