Instagram will soon begin testing a full-screen redesign of its main feed, according to Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta.
Because Zuckerberg’s announcement was made via an Instagram story, you might have missed it if you blinked.
Here are some screenshots of the new design before (top) and after (bottom) comparisons:
Instagram now appears to be more like a TikTok clone, with the content filling the entire screen.
Every other element is overlayed on the content except for a small area at the bottom for navigation.
To clear up any misunderstandings about the new design, Zuckerberg adds that photos will remain an important part of Instagram.
Read 9 Ways To Increase Your Instagram Followers.
Instagram will not be turned into a video-only platform as a result of the redesign.
If you can’t see the photo above, here’s what Zuckerberg said:
“We want to make it easier to discover content and connect with friends.
Photos are still an important part of Instagram, and we’re working on ways to improve the way they show up in a full-screen feed too.
Some people will start seeing this test soon.
Exited to hear your feedback.”
Because Instagram photos are currently not uploaded in full-screen dimensions, it will be interesting to see how this works in practice.
To accomplish this, the app will almost certainly have to crop the sides of the photo, which may result in a loss of detail.
Zuckerberg’s commitment to preserving the Instagram photo-sharing experience contrasts with what Instagram’s CEO, Adam Mosseri, has been saying for the past year.
Mosseri went so far as to say in July 2021, “We’re no longer a photo sharing app.”
Mosseri outlined his Instagram plans for this year in late January, stating that videos and messaging are his top priorities.
While photos will still be included in the new Instagram feed, it’s clear that the company does not see this as a growth area.
Right now, video, particularly short-form video, is the growth driver. Facebook, too, is shifting its focus to video, a move prompted by a stock drop in February.
An internal memo sent to Facebook employees recently announced that the feed would be restructured around video.
There’s no guarantee that your video investment will pay off. It has just as much of a chance of alienating existing users as it does of attracting new ones.
To be sure, it’s a risk. Expect a completely new Instagram and Facebook feed before the end of the year, so be ready for changes.
Learn more from Instagram and read Instagram Update Could Impact Reach For Some Accounts.
