For a small group, Instagram is testing a new change on the app by removing the ‘Recent’ tab from the hashtags page and categorizing recent and timely content in the ‘Top’ and ‘Reels’ tabs only. The company said that change is inspired by the need to make hashtags “as valuable as possible for people”.
Recently, Instagram introduced seven new features to make messaging and sharing on the app more convenient, expressive, and exciting like replying to a message while browsing, sending a 30-second preview of a song, creating a poll in a group chat, and more. However, the features are available in select regions currently.
Instagram promotes ‘Reels’ by introducing new changes to the app
In August 2020, Instagram launched “Reels”, a TikTok clone to create short video-clips set to music and share with family, friends and followers on the app and other social media platforms. To feature Reels on Instagram, the app’s Explore page was redeisnged to include a dedicated section to view Reels.
Previously, the company’s Head Adam Mosseri explained that major changes were coming to the app for creators, and videos in the current competitive social media industry. Thus, new features will be released to compete with TikTok and YouTube. Now, the company has announced that it is testing a redesigned layout for the hashtag page to declutter it and make Reels more visible.
Currently, when selecting a hashtag, Instagram transports you to the “Hashtags” page to view content within that tag. You can browse across top content, recent content, and Instagram Reels. Users undergoing testing now only see top content and Reels.
For a small group, we’re testing more recent and timely content in ‘Top’ and ‘Reels’ tabs in hashtags, and removing the ‘Recent’ tab. We want to see if this helps people connect with more interesting and relevant content on hashtags, while also keeping them across what’s current.
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