Instagram has made a notable change to the user experience. When the app is opened, users are now greeted directly by Reels content. This update signals a significant shift in the platform’s content priorities.

While visual and carousel posts have been removed from the main feed, the short-form video format has taken center stage. This change is seen as a strategy aimed at increasing the time users spend on the platform. It also plays a guiding role in content creators’ format preferences.

The new layout requires brands and content creators to rethink their content strategies. The rise of short, easily consumable video content is also affecting the competitive dynamics within the platform. This situation brings with it a search for a new balance for accounts seeking visibility.