Instagram is experimenting with a redesigned menu bar aimed at highlighting its most popular features — Reels and direct messages — in line with Meta’s broader priorities.
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, announced that a limited group of users will be able to opt in to a test featuring a new arrangement of tabs. In this layout, Instagram’s existing buttons for feed, search, creating a post, Reels, and profile are reorganized. The Reels tab will move to the front, replacing search, while the dedicated “create post” button will be swapped out for a direct messages tab. The redesign also allows users to swipe between tabs for faster navigation.
Mosseri acknowledged in his post that changes like this “can take time to get used to,” which is why the test is optional for now. Still, recent developments suggest the move is part of a longer-term strategy. Beyond the long-awaited iPad version of Instagram that defaults to Reels, Meta has repeatedly stated its intention to prioritize short-form video and private messaging. Earlier this month, the company piloted a similar tab arrangement in India, placing Reels first and DMs second.
“Reels and DMs have driven most all our growth at Instagram over the last few years, so we are exploring making them the first two tabs,” Mosseri said. For long-time users who joined Instagram for photography, the evolution may feel like a step away from its original purpose. However, Meta’s direction reflects wider shifts in social media, where trends increasingly favor video content and private interactions over photo sharing.
As posting becomes more professionalized, personal connections are moving into private chats and group messaging. Meta’s vision positions Instagram as a hub for consuming content from creators — often people you don’t know — and then discussing it with friends away from the public feed. This latest menu redesign is simply a more accurate reflection of how people use the app today.
