Instagram is testing a Reels-first UI in India and South Korea, signaling how serious Meta is about short-form video dominance. The redesign prioritizes Reels at the center of the app experience, making it the first thing users see when opening Instagram.
Image Credits:Instagram
This shift isn’t random. India and South Korea are among Instagram’s fastest-growing markets for Reels, and the company wants to see how users respond before rolling out the update globally.
What The New Reels-First UI Looks Like
The redesigned interface puts Stories at the top, as usual, but with key navigation changes. The DM button now sits at the center of the navigation bar, while the Reels tab takes the second spot. Users can swipe between tabs seamlessly.
Another big update is the Following tab, now placed next to Reels. It gives users three feed options:
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All → Recommended posts and Reels from accounts you follow
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Friends → Posts and Reels from mutuals
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Latest → The most recent posts and Reels
This new layout clearly puts Reels at the heart of the Instagram experience.
Why Instagram Is Pushing Reels Harder
Meta has been vocal about the growth of short videos. Just last week, Instagram revealed it had crossed 3 billion monthly users, with Reels playing a major role. According to Meta, short-form videos are reshared across its platforms 4.5 billion times daily.
By testing this Reels-first UI in India and South Korea, Instagram is betting that making short videos more prominent will drive even higher engagement.
Global Rollout Could Be Next
For now, the Reels-first UI is only being tested with a limited number of users. However, Instagram has confirmed that if feedback is positive, it will expand the update worldwide.
Given the popularity of short-form content, a global rollout seems almost inevitable. This redesign is yet another sign that Instagram is doubling down on Reels to stay competitive with TikTok and YouTube Shorts.
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