Instagram app redesign highlights Reels and DMs

Instagram is preparing a major layout update designed to give Reels and direct messages top billing. The change was confirmed in an official announcement following Instagram's leap to three billion monthly users—a milestone driven by video, messaging, and tailored recommendations.

What's changing and when it's arriving

The core of Instagram's redesign moves two features—Reels and DMs—down to the primary navigation bar. The result gives short-form video and private conversations the same level of visibility as the home feed. The post button is leaving its dedicated space on the bottom in favor of a new location at the top left. Posting will still be simple, just no longer front and center.

Instagram is currently testing this new interface in India and South Korea, where the Reels page is displayed first when users open the app. The company has indicated that, while this redesign is being trialed with a limited number of people, it intends to roll the update out globally. A similar design was introduced earlier this month with Instagram's first iPad app.

Key updates include:

The bottom menu will include Home, Reels, DMs, Search/Explore, and Profile.

The dedicated post creation button shifts to the upper left corner.

Stories remain accessible by swiping left, with DMs still just a right swipe away, and Stories continue to appear at the top of the screen.

The DM button now appears at the center of the navigation bar along the bottom.

Algorithm controls arrive, letting users fine-tune topic recommendations—customization will start with Reels.

Redesigned feed options next to Reels: “All” for recommended posts and reels from accounts you follow; “Friends” for posts and reels from mutuals; and “Latest” for the newest posts and reels.

Instagram boss Adam Mosseri described these updates as a direct response to the platform's explosive growth in DMs, Reels, and personalized feeds. As of the most recent announcement, Instagram has credited much of its user growth—now at 3 billion monthly actives—to the rise of short videos. According to Meta, Reels and similar short videos are reshared across its platforms 4.5 billion times, justifying their new prominence in the app.

A new section in settings will reveal what topics the algorithm targets for each user, with options to add or remove interests to better shape the content stream.

Past, present, and the competition

Instagram's focus on shoppable posts and Stories previously defined its navigation. This pivot toward video and messaging echoes moves seen across rivals like TikTok and YouTube, both of which funnel discovery through viral video and algorithmic suggestions.

The shift also reflects a wider scramble for attention among short-form video apps. The redesign is a direct pitch to attract creators and users who crave streamlined sharing and curated content feeds. This aligns closely with how other platforms now treat short videos as gateways to deeper creator-fan relationships.

Tailoring feeds, boosting engagement

For creators and brands, the reshuffle means that Reels and DMs will be more visible entry points for audience engagement. Optimizing for discovery now starts with an even heavier focus on video strategy and conversational outreach. The ability to refine algorithmic suggestions adds a level of audience targeting that, until now, required careful guesswork and trial and error.

Removing the bottom post button may slow spontaneous uploads, but advanced creators will quickly adjust. Those whose strategies depend on Reels and messaging will feel well-positioned to capitalize, especially as Instagram users gain new power to explain—and demand—what they do and don't want to see.

Taking advantage of Meta's latest AI tools for Instagram content can help brands adapt to changing trends and sharpen creative output. For actionable ideas, explore 6 Ways Creators Can Use Meta AI for Instagram Content.

Where this leaves the Instagram playbook

Expect the platform to continue testing content controls and layout tweaks in the coming months. Customizable content feeds could become the norm, making engagement less about luck and more about data-informed choices. For creators who master these new tools and focus on video-first strategies, Instagram's changes will open doors to more tailored reach and monetization.

Keep an eye out for further updates—Instagram has made it clear that the Reels-driven, conversation-centric era is just getting started.