Instagram Reels & DMs Layout Test – What You Need to Know
- Meta is experimenting with a redesigned Instagram menu bar, prioritizing Reels and Direct Messages.
- Instagram Head Adam mosseri announced a test of a new menu bar layout on Threads.
- A key feature of the new design is the ability to swipe between tabs, offering a more fluid navigation experience.
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Meta is experimenting with a redesigned Instagram menu bar, prioritizing Reels and Direct Messages. The optional test aims to improve navigation for users of the popular social media platform.
What’s Changing?
Instagram Head Adam mosseri announced a test of a new menu bar layout on Threads. The current arrangement – Feed, Search, New Post, Reels, Profile - will be altered for participating users. Specifically, Search and Reels will swap positions, and the New Post tab will be replaced with a dedicated tab for Direct Messages (DMs).
A key feature of the new design is the ability to swipe between tabs, offering a more fluid navigation experience. This change reflects Meta’s ongoing effort to optimize Instagram for its most engaged user behaviors.
Why the Change?
This redesign signals Meta’s continued prioritization of Reels and DMs. Meta has heavily invested in Reels as a direct competitor to TikTok, and the feature has become a notable driver of engagement on Instagram. Similarly, DMs are a core component of Instagram’s social fabric, facilitating private interaction and community building.
By giving these features dedicated tabs, Meta aims to make them more accessible and encourage greater usage. This aligns with broader industry trends of simplifying user interfaces and highlighting key functionalities.
Impact on users
the change is currently optional. Users can choose to opt-in to the test and experience the new menu bar, or continue using the existing layout. Mosseri acknowledged that adjustments “can take time to get used to,” demonstrating Meta’s awareness of potential user friction.
The potential impact on user behavior is significant. A more prominent Reels tab could lead to increased consumption of short-form video content. Similarly, a dedicated DM tab could encourage more frequent private messaging. However, the ultimate effect will depend on how users adapt to the new interface.
instagram User Statistics (2024)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Monthly Active Users (MAU) | 2 Billion+ |
| Daily Active Users (DAU) | 500 Million+ |
| Reels Usage | 30% of time spent on Instagram |
| DM Usage | 80% of Instagram users send DMs |
Source: Statista, Hootsuite (February 2024)