Did You Get the New Instagram UI Yet? Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Instagram is rolling out a major redesign, and this time, it’s not just aesthetic.
The new Instagram UI update marks a shift in how the platform wants users to browse, share, and connect. Whether you’ve already noticed your Reels and DMs look different or you’re wondering why Instagram changed its layout, this guide covers everything you need to know about the 2026 interface update.
Here’s what to look for, and why it matters.
What’s Changing in the New Instagram Interface
Instagram has begun testing a new navigation bar and feed experience that places Reels and DMs front and center, signaling the platform’s renewed focus on short-form video and direct messaging.
As reported by Social Media Today, more users are now being prompted to try the updated layout, which emphasizes “your favorite spaces” inside the app.
As you can see in this example, posted by creator-economy expert Lia Haberman, the test prompt asks users whether they want to prioritise sections like Reels, DMs, or their profile, effectively allowing them to personalise Instagram’s core navigation for the first time.
About the Instagram new UI: Instagram chief Adam Mosseri confirmed that this feature will roll out to all users soon, writing on Threads:
“We’re experimenting with ways to make Instagram feel more personal, giving you quick access to the parts of the app you use most, whether that’s DMs, Reels, or your profile.”
This test follows Meta’s broader strategy to make Instagram feel more like a messaging-first and interest-based platform, rather than a static feed.
The New Instagram Layout, At a Glance
Based on the current rollout of the new Instagram UI:
👉 Bottom navigation order: Home → Reels → DMs → Search → Profile
👉 Swipe navigation: Users can now swipe horizontally between tabs, improving in-app flow
👉 Reels-first experience: In some regions, including India and South Korea, the app opens directly to the Reels tab
👉 Algorithm control: Users can customize what Reels they want to see with the new “Your Algorithm” feature, giving audiences more control and creators less guaranteed exposure
👉 Feed deprioritized: The “traditional” feed is now several taps away, making Reels and DMs the new discovery and interaction hubs
New Feature: “Your Algorithm” Controls
One of the most significant additions to the new Instagram interface is the “Your Algorithm” feature. This update lets you customize your Reels experience based on your content preferences.
To access it:
- Head to the Reels tab
- Tap the “2 hearts icon” in the upper-right corner
- Choose what you want to see more or less of
- Add custom tags to reflect your interests
This feature gives users unprecedented control over what content appears in their feed, which fundamentally changes how the Instagram algorithm works within the new UI.
As Instagram prioritizes authentic engagement, an Instagram fake follower checker helps brands verify real audience connections before partnering with creators.
Why Did Instagram Change Its Layout?
The Instagram UI update is meant to mirror how people actually use the app.
Internal data reportedly shows that more than 50% of total time on Instagram is spent in Reels or DMs, so it’s no surprise the platform is adapting to make those features more accessible.
Here’s what the numbers tell us:
- Overall video watch time on Instagram is up 20% year-over-year
- Reels now make up 50% of all time spent in the app
- Instagram recently crossed 3 billion monthly users, with much of that growth driven by short-form video
It’s a move toward behavioral design: surfacing the areas users visit most, while nudging them to stay longer through interaction.
