Facebook officially rolls out Instagram Reels — but not everyone is happy with the new update

• Facebook is officially rolling out Instagram Reels for all of its users.
• The new update replaces the Explore button with the Reels button and moves it next to direct messages (DMs) button on the top bar.
• Not everyone is happy with the changes and many are wondering if Instagram will be able to retain its true essence as it tries to capitalise on the anti-TikTok wave.

After launching Instagram Reels for a select few users in India last month, Facebook is now rolling out its TikTok-rivaling feature across the board. However, the overhaul of the Instagram app interface isn’t striking the right chord with everyone.


For starters, introducing the Reels function onto Instagram meant taking away one of the main navigation buttons — explore. From Instagram’s point of view it makes sense that it would want its newest feature to be where users normally go to discover more content.


However, for OG users, it means changing their habits. “It’s so inconvenient now,” a frequent user of Instagram told Business Insider. “The button to explore is now up above next to the direct message (DMs) and that’s going to take time to get used to.”


Many feel the old format, where the first square in Explore was Reels and the rest were normal Instagram posts served their purposes for being on the app better. “I feel like only a person who’s a TikTok-lover will like this,” said another user explaining how short-format videos were not their prerogative for using Instagram in the first place.


Even the button to create a new post doesn’t directly open up your camera anymore but instead gives you a menu from which to choose your next action.


For Facebook, the absence of TikTok in the market is the perfect opportunity for its second attempt at making a short video streaming app — a format where it previously tried to break through with Lasso but was largely unsuccessful.

However, in the race to catch the golden goose, many users are worried that Instagram may not remain the photography platform that they’ve grown to know and love.

The update is being rolled out for all users across India on both Android and iOS. It’s a phased roll out so some users may see the feature made available before others.

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