Meta has announced two major updates for its social platforms. Instagram will experiment with a new way of navigating its app in India, while Facebook is bringing features to strengthen connections between creators and their audiences. Both updates aim to enhance creativity, interaction, and community engagement.
Instagram tests Reels-first experience in India
Instagram is piloting a Reels-first layout for a select set of users in India, a market known for its diverse short-form video culture. With this test, users opening the app will be directed to the Reels feed by default. Stories remain accessible at the top, while direct messages are just a swipe away in the navigation bar.
The new format also introduces a dedicated “Following” tab, which provides three ways to view updates from accounts: all followed content, mutual followers, or chronological posts. This change is designed to make access to short videos and messaging smoother, reflecting Instagram’s growing focus on these areas. Globally, Instagram has grown to 3 billion monthly active users, with Reels being reshared over 4.5 billion times each day across Meta platforms.
Facebook strengthens fandom with new features
On Facebook, users can now take part in fan challenges, allowing them to create content inspired by their favourite creators’ prompts. These challenges appear in feeds, and the most popular entries are highlighted on leaderboards, creating more opportunities for fans to showcase creativity and interact with creators.
Additionally, Facebook is expanding its top fan badges by offering custom versions. These badges let fans display their loyalty and be recognised directly on creator pages and personal profiles. Artists such as Cardi B and Ed Sheeran are already using personalised badges to deepen fan engagement. With over 500 million people holding badges globally, this update is expected to strengthen connections across communities.
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