Instagram Test Reels-First UI In South Korea & India

Instagram is making big changes to how you use the app. The company just started testing a new way to show content that puts Reels right at the front and this  is happening in South Korea and India. Users in these countries might see something very different when they open Instagram.

Instead of seeing the regular feed when you open the app, you’ll see Reels first. This is a huge change from what we’re used to. Instagram wants to see how people react to this new setup. The test could change how millions of people use Instagram every day.

The new Instagram design is pretty different from what most people know. When you open the app, Reels will be the first thing you see. Stories are still at the top like before.

Everything feels more focused on video content now. Instagram clearly wants people to watch more Reels. The company has moved things around to make Reels harder to miss. This could mean more people will create and watch short videos on the platform.

Instagram has good reasons for testing this new design. The app just hit 3 billion monthly users, which is incredible growth. Much of this growth comes from people loving Reels and video content. Instagram wants to build on this success. 

The timing of this test isn’t random either. TikTok is banned in India, which creates a big opportunity. Instagram can capture users who want short video content but can’t use TikTok. India is also the world’s most populated country, making it a valuable market to focus on.

If you’re in South Korea or India, you might be part of this test without knowing it. Only some users will see the new design right now. Instagram wants to see how people react before making bigger changes.

Creators who already focus on Reels might see more views and engagement. The new design puts their content front and centre. This could mean more followers and better reach for video creators. It’s a great time to get better at making short videos if you haven’t already.

Even though this test is only in two countries, it could affect Instagram everywhere. The company often starts small tests before rolling changes out worldwide. What happens in South Korea and India could preview Instagram’s future for everyone.

This change also shows how much social media has shifted toward video. A few years ago, Instagram was mainly about photos. Now the platform is betting big on short videos. This reflects what users actually want to watch and share.

Companies that use Instagram for marketing should pay close attention to this test. If Reels become the main way people use Instagram, business strategies will need to change. Video content might become essential instead of just helpful.

Businesses that haven’t started making Reels yet should probably begin now. The new design could give video content a big advantage over photos and text posts. Companies that adapt quickly might reach more customers than those that don’t.

This test is just the beginning of Instagram’s push toward video content. The company has been clear about wanting to compete with TikTok and YouTube. Making Reels more prominent is part of this bigger strategy.

If the test goes well, expect to see similar changes in more countries soon. Instagram rarely keeps successful features limited to just one or two markets. The company usually expands popular changes to reach all users eventually.

We might also see other changes that support this video-first approach. Instagram could introduce new Reels features or change how the algorithm works. The goal would be encouraging more people to create and watch short videos.

The test in South Korea and India represents a big moment for Instagram. It shows the company is willing to make bold changes to stay competitive. Whether users embrace this new direction will help shape the future of one of the world’s biggest social media platforms.

For now, users in other countries can only watch and wait. But this test gives everyone a preview of where Instagram might be heading. The age of Reels-first social media could be coming sooner than we think.