Instagram New UI Explained: Why Your Reels & DMs Look Different Now

Did You Get the Instagram New UI Yet? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Instagram is quietly rolling out a major redesign — and this time, it’s not just aesthetic.

The Instagram new UI update marks a shift in how the platform wants users to browse, share, and connect.

Here’s what to look for — and why it matters.

What’s Changing in the Instagram New UI

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 Layout — At a Glance

Based on current tests on the Instagram new 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, the app opens directly to the Reels tab.

👉 Algorithm control: Users are being asked to choose what kind of Reels they want to see more or less of — 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.

Why Instagram Is Doing This

The Instagram new UI 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.

It’s a move toward behavioral design: surfacing the areas users visit most, while nudging them to stay longer through interaction.

What It Means for Creators and Brands

🔹 DMs Become the New Feed

By making DMs a primary tab, Instagram is shifting social engagement from public to private. For creators and brands, this means broadcast channels, private communities, and one-to-one communication will drive loyalty far more than likes or comments.

If you don’t have a broadcast channel yet, this is your sign to start one.

🔹 Reels for Reach, Carousels for Connection

Reels still dominate discovery, particularly for accounts under 50 K followers. But carousels and Stories are quietly outperforming Reels for retention and repeat engagement.
Each format serves a purpose:

• 🎥 Reels → reach

• 🖼 Carousels → connection

• 📩 Broadcasts → loyalty

🔹 Algorithm Control Changes Everything

With users now able to fine-tune what they see, creators can’t rely on randomness anymore.
Your content will need a clear topic, aesthetic consistency, and strong hooks to stay visible in customised feeds.

What Marketers Should Do Next

1. Audit your content mix — 60 % Reels, 25 % Carousels, 15 % Stories.

2. Invest in broadcast channels to build loyal audiences in DMs.

3. Optimise for repeat interactions — comments, saves, shares.

4. Use new Reels prompts to learn what your audience chooses to watch.

5. Monitor analytics weekly — expect performance swings as the new UI rolls out globally.

The Takeaway

Instagram’s new UI marks the start of a new creator economy phase — one where conversation replaces feed-scrolling, and personalisation replaces passive discovery.

As Adam Mosseri said, this is about “making Instagram feel more personal.”
For creators and brands, it’s also about making strategy more intentional.

Those who adapt fastest — balancing Reels for reach, Carousels for connection, and DMs for loyalty — will stay ahead of the algorithm, no matter how often the UI changes.