Instagram emphasizes Reels in new design update

02/23/26
Source: Social Media Today – Latest News by Andrew Hutchinson. Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of Instagram’s New Design Focuses on Reels and Customizable Feeds

Instagram is testing a new design that highlights Reels as the main feed, with customizable options like Following, Friends, and Saved. This reflects the platform’s increasing emphasis on short-form video content, where users now spend most of their time. The update also introduces a “Your Feeds” center for easier access and control over different Reels streams, reinforcing Instagram’s shift in content strategy.

Optimixed’s Overview: Instagram’s Strategic Shift Towards Enhanced Reels Engagement and User Feed Customization

Instagram’s New User Interface Experiment

Instagram is currently experimenting with a redesigned interface that places Reels front and center, aiming to better align with evolving user behavior that favors short videos. The update introduces a dedicated “Your Feeds” hub accessible via a new icon on the bottom control panel, which allows users to select from multiple Reels feed options.

Customizable Feed Options for Enhanced User Control

  • Feed Types: Users can swipe through various Reels streams including Following, Friends, Latest, Saved, Favorites, and Suggested.
  • Personalization: These options provide greater control over content consumption, making it easier to discover and engage with preferred short-form videos.

The Business and User Impact

With Meta reporting that over 3.5 billion Reels are shared daily across Facebook and Instagram, and that half of Instagram users’ time is spent on Reels, this design shift is significant. For brands and content creators, emphasizing Reels is now critical in content strategies to maximize reach and engagement.

Despite this pivot, Instagram’s leadership assures that traditional photo posts remain integral to the platform, but the evolving default experience is clearly moving towards short-form video dominance.