Instagram rapidly develops new features to stay ahead of the curve, but more recently, their changes have caused controversy.
When Instagram was launched in 2010, it was set out to be a photo-sharing ap, home to photographers, architects, artists, content creators and celebrities. However, in 2021, Instagram shifted towards video content (like Tik Tok), and although video has boosted content diversity and enticed more Gen Z users, there has been a large decline in engagement and reach for its loyal users, leading them to question what Instagram is for.
To address the user frustration which came to head of Instagram Adam Mosseri’s attention in summer last year, Instagram will be simplifying their in-app navigation to give people back what they love: a simpler experience for photo sharing.
Instagram changes rolled out in February 2023
- Reels will be moved right to the current Shop tab position
- The Compose (+ button) will have centre placement
- The Shop tab won’t have its own tab anymore – it will be found in Discover or via other channels within Instagram, such as (Feed, Stories, Reels and ads)