{"id":106120,"date":"2025-10-03T12:30:38","date_gmt":"2025-10-03T11:30:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/?p=106120"},"modified":"2025-10-03T12:30:40","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T11:30:40","slug":"instagram-experiment-reels-home-screen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/instagram-experiment-reels-home-screen\/","title":{"rendered":"Instagram experiments with Reels as the new home screen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A test in India sees a big change to the immediate look of Instagram’s mobile app.<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Instagram is launching an experiment in India that could drastically change the look and feel of its mobile app. The test, currently available in India, prioritises short-form videos and direct messages, reflecting how these features have become some of the most engaging parts of Instagram. Upon opening the app, the home screen is now essentially the Reels tab, with DMs becoming the second tab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Instagram head, Adam Mosseri, Reels and DMs have driven most of Instagram’s growth over the last few years. This has led to this exploration into changing up the app’s layout. We’ve seen plenty of updates and new features<\/a> for DMs in the past year, so it’s clear Instagram is keen on tweaking these features to capitalise on their influence. Reels, of course, is getting the same treatment, with Instagram recently testing a picture-in-picture option<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As reported by The Verge<\/a>, a preview of the updated layout shows a familiar row of Stories at the top of the screen. But as you scroll down, the feed becomes almost entirely filled with videos, similar to the current Reels tab. Regular posts from accounts you follow are still included, though it is not yet clear how they will appear alongside the video-heavy feed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just last month, Instagram finally launched an iPad app<\/a>, which notably offers users a Reels-first experience. Extending this format to mobile devices indicates that Instagram is serious about making video the main focus of the platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instagram isn’t shy about testing and experimenting across the platform, for example the company began testing a Repost feature<\/a> back in June this year. The company is evidently focussed on continuing to evolve the ways users engage with content, and adapt to the evolving ways that users choose themselves to engage with content. By putting short videos front and centre, Instagram could increase discovery and engagement, especially for creators producing video content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Content Ideas for Musicians on Shorts, TikTok, & Reels<\/a><\/blockquote>