Instagram tests new layout with Reels and DMs as core tabs, signalling shift away from photos

Instagram

Instagram is testing a redesigned menu bar that gives Reels and DMs — two of its fastest-growing features — their own dedicated tabs. The experiment, announced by Instagram head Adam Mosseri, marks another clear move by Meta to reshape the app around short-form video and private messaging, while quietly nudging traditional photo-sharing further into the background.

Reels and DMs take centre stage

Under the test, the current navigation bar with tabs for Home, Search, Create, Reels, and Profile is being replaced by a layout where Reels and DMs dominate. The Search tab swaps places with Reels, and the “+” button for creating new posts is replaced by a new shortcut for direct messages. Users who opt in will also be able to swipe between tabs — a change designed to make the app feel more fluid and conversation-driven.

Mosseri acknowledges it’s a big shift

In his announcement, Mosseri said Instagram understands such changes “can take time to get used to,” which is why the new layout remains optional. But the direction is unmistakable. Meta has made no secret of its intent to prioritise short-form video and messaging — both key drivers of engagement and ad revenue. Earlier this month, the company tested a similar layout in India where Reels was the default tab, followed by DMs.

Meta’s broader pivot to messaging

“Reels and DMs have driven most of our growth over the last few years,” Mosseri said, explaining the logic behind the experiment. That aligns with Meta’s broader vision of making Instagram an app where users consume content from creators they don’t know — then discuss it privately in group chats with friends.

The photo era fades further

For long-time users, the redesign will be another reminder that Instagram is no longer the photo-first platform it once was. The company has steadily repositioned itself around viral video and social messaging to compete with TikTok and Snapchat. If this new layout becomes permanent, Instagram’s feed of carefully curated images may soon sit one more swipe away — both literally and culturally.