What changes were made in the recent Instagram update?

The recent Instagram update involved a redesign of the bottom menu bar, rearranging main icons, which included the removal of the traditional publish button and relocating the new post creation button to the top right corner. The positions of the search and Reels icons were also swapped, causing confusion among users.

Why are users upset about the new Instagram update?

Users are upset because the changes have disrupted their usual navigation and interaction with the app, leading to frustration with unintended transitions between different sections, such as moving from photo posts to messages.

Who is responsible for the changes to Instagram?

The changes were initiated by Instagram's parent company, Meta, and specifically communicated by Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram.

What is Meta's rationale for the new design?

Meta claims that the redesign is based on user behavior, aiming to make frequently used tools like reels and messages more accessible. They stated that the update is still in the experimental phase and is intended for a limited number of users.

What has been the public response to the update?

The public response has been largely negative, with many users expressing anger and sarcasm on social media. Campaigns have emerged calling for a return to Instagram's original format, focusing on photo sharing rather than short videos and ads.

What broader trends does this update reflect regarding Instagram's evolution?

This update reflects Instagram's shift from a photo-sharing platform to one that emphasizes short videos and marketing, increasingly resembling TikTok, which has raised concerns about the app losing its original identity.

Has Instagram Changed Forever? A New Update Confuses Millions

A new update launched by the Instagram platform, owned by "Meta", has sparked a storm of controversy and anger among users worldwide, following changes described as "confusing and unnecessary" in the app's interface and navigation.

The new update affected the design of the bottom menu bar, where the company rearranged the main icons, making the daily use of the app completely different from what users were accustomed to.

* Among the most notable changes that sparked discontent:

_ The disappearance of the traditional publish button from the bottom of the screen, replaced by the direct messages icon (the paper airplane).

_ The relocation of the new post creation button (the + icon inside a box) to the top right corner.

_ The swapping of the positions of the search and "Reels" (Reels) icons, which confused users who were used to browsing the app using what is known as "muscle memory".

However, the most controversial aspect was the app's reliance on finger swiping to navigate between pages, often leading to unintended transitions from photo posts to messages or reels.

One user commented on the "X" platform saying:

"The new design annoys me more than I can explain... I try to scroll through photos in a specific post, and suddenly I find myself on the messages page!".

Another added: "The new menu layout is extremely annoying; no one asked for this change".

* "Meta" Responds: Just an Experiment!

In an attempt to calm the anger, Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, clarified that the update is still in the experimental phase and includes a limited number of users, aimed at testing the design before rolling it out widely.

Mosseri said via the "Threads" (Threads) app:

"We have reorganized the interface based on what people use the most, and we focused on making tools like reels and messages closer to the thumb position for easier access".

He added: "We understand that changes take time to adapt to, so we are offering it experimentally to those who wish".

However, the responses were angry and sarcastic, as one user wrote:

"Just make a separate app for reels, and that's it".

* Rising Criticism: "Bring Instagram Back to How It Was!"

The recent update was not the first event to ignite user anger. Campaigns have previously been launched under the slogan:

"Make Instagram Instagram Again" protesting the change in the app's identity and its transformation from a photo-sharing platform to a space for short videos and advertisements.

One notable comment from a user stated:

"All I want is an app that shows posts from the accounts I follow only, with a simple chronological summary... just like it was in the past!".

* Other Controversial Features

The new update came after a series of other changes that sparked controversy, including:

_ A feature showing posts you liked to your friends in a special tab, which many considered an invasion of privacy.

_ The use of artificial intelligence by "Meta" to analyze user behavior, especially teenagers, under the pretext of making the app safer and more organized.

And despite "Meta" confirming that these updates aim to improve user experience, many believe that the platform has become excessively imitative of TikTok at the expense of its original identity.

* From a Photo App to a Video and Marketing Platform

Since its launch in 2010 as a simple photo-sharing app, "Instagram" has undergone major transformations, especially after Mark Zuckerberg acquired it in 2012.

Today, after more than a decade, the app increasingly focuses on short videos (Reels), in a direct attempt to compete with the Chinese TikTok.

* Will Instagram Survive the Change Trap?

As users continue to express their dissatisfaction, the question remains:

Will "Meta" return to listening to its audience? Or will it continue on its path despite all the objections?

One thing is clear: Instagram's old identity is fading... and everyone feels it.