Photo and video-sharing social media platform Instagram is set to offer users a simpler experience when navigating app, in a major design revamp.
The Meta-Owned company recently disclosed that it will change the position of the compose button (the plus sign “+”), which is currently located at the top right corner, close to the message button, to the front and center of the navigation bar at the bottom of the app.
This will replace the position of the reels button, which will be re-positioned to the right of compose.
Also, it disclosed that the shop tab button will be entirely removed from the navigation bar, although users will still be able to shop on feeds, in stories, in reels, and in ads.
The company disclosed that the navigation changes which will become effective in February was necessitated to make it easier for people to create content, be entertained, and connect with friends, while also doing things they love.
To achieve that, they are focused on three things, which are;
1.) Inspiring people to express themselves.
2.) Helping people discover what they love.
3.) Sparking connections between people over what they find.
Recall that in May 2022, Instagram users expressed dissatisfaction when the app changed its layout which they described as annoying.
The app got a new interface with new visual changes (vibrant colors), to make it alive. While all these changes looked somewhat cool, users didn’t fancy the app’s new layout.
Some users went as far as pointing out how the UI made them use the app less, compared to before. The same month, over 230,000 people signed a petition to “make Instagram Instagram again” and stop it from “trying to be TikTok”, due to concerns that the changes on the platform prioritized video content over photos.
Following the backlash, Instagram disclosed that it would drop its test of full-screen photo and video posts, and would also bring down the number of posts in users’ feeds that its algorithm recommends.