Instagram Just Changed Their UI. Here’s What You Actually Need to Know

I opened Instagram the other day, just doing the usual scroll and something felt off. Not like the app was broken, but like I had walked into a room where everything had been quietly rearranged. For a second, I thought I clicked on the wrong app.

Reels were suddenly right there—front and center when you swipe. DMs had their own dedicated space in the navigation bar. And the feed, which used to be the main attraction, felt like it had been gently pushed to the background.

No major announcement.

No pop-up message.

But the platform was clearly trying to tell me something.

Instagram is shifting and it’s not subtle if you’re paying attention

Reels are getting the spotlight. Messaging/ DMs are becoming easier to access than ever. Traditional photo and static posts? They’re still around, but they’re no longer the main focus.

This isn’t just a minor layout refresh. It’s Instagram showing us exactly what kind of content it wants more of and where it wants us spending our time.

If your strategy still revolves around a curated feed and carefully crafted grid posts, this shift might explain why engagement has felt off lately. The platform is moving, and it’s moving toward video and conversation.

The data backs it up

This isn’t just about what looks good in the app. Instagram has made it clear through both design and numbers that Reels and DMs are driving user behavior.

Reels now make up more than 50% of the time users spend on the app. Overall video watch time is up more than 20% year over year. Messaging is becoming one of the most powerful forms of engagement—not just from a user perspective, but in terms of what the algorithm values.

Instagram is watching how people use the app, and they’re designing the experience around what’s working. That’s why this layout matters. Because when Instagram adjusts what’s most visible and accessible, it’s signaling exactly where creators and businesses should be showing up.

So what does that mean for your Instagram content strategy?

If you’re still pouring most of your effort into feed posts (graphics, quotes) and treating video as something optional, this is a good moment to pause and reassess.

Here’s what’s working now:

• Reels that are short, casual, and to the point. They don’t need to be perfect. They just need to grab attention and feel relatable.

• Conversations that happen in the DMs. This includes replying to Story reactions, answering questions, and actually engaging in back-and-forth messaging. The algorithm loves it and so do your potential clients.

• A consistent presence that doesn’t rely on polish. Showing up regularly is more powerful than waiting for everything to look “on-brand.”

This isn’t about throwing out everything you’ve built. Feed posts still serve a purpose, especially when someone clicks into your profile to learn more. But when it comes to reach and visibility, Instagram is clearly favoring Reels and real interaction.

If you feel behind, that’s okay

Social platforms move fast, and not everyone has time to stay on top of every trend. This Instagram UI update is less about chasing trends and more about adapting to how people actually use the app right now.

It’s okay if you haven’t made the switch yet. The important thing is recognizing the direction the platform is headed and taking small, intentional steps to meet your audience where they are.

Maybe that means committing to one Reel per week. Maybe it means replying to DMs more thoughtfully. Maybe it just means rethinking how you show up in Stories. You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight, but the longer you wait to adapt, the harder it becomes to stay visible in the places that matter.

The bottom line

Instagram didn’t just move a few buttons around for fun. This layout update is a clear message: they’re leaning into video, into messaging, and into content that builds real connection, not just content that looks good in the grid.

If your strategy hasn’t evolved with that in mind, now is the time to adjust. You don’t need to go viral. You don’t need to film everything. But you do need to start showing up where your audience is already paying attention.

If you're not sure where to start or how to pivot without feeling overwhelmed, that's where we can help. Let’s build a strategy that fits where Instagram is headed and helps you show up with confidence and clarity.