Facebook Tests Reels-Focused Design in India with New Video-First UX

Meta has begun rolling out a revamped Facebook user experience (UX) in India. Among the changes is an updated UI that, for select users, launches the app into full-screen video mode right away. Consequently, the Reels feature is featured prominently.

A more interactive, video-centric experience is what the new test and layout aim to provide. Users who are part of the test and would like to return to a Feed-first experience have the option to opt out, according to Meta. There will be a second tab on the Facebook app where you may access the classic feed.

Meta Focussing on Promoting Video Content

Meta is increasing the importance of video on Facebook, and this new test is part of that effort. No matter the duration or format, the site has already promised to publish all uploaded videos as Reels. Meta has used India as a proving ground for its video content, especially since it started focusing on short-form videos. Video usage across Meta's applications in India is reportedly on the upswing, coinciding with the new test.

With the proliferation of video content across Meta's Indian apps, the company has introduced a new test. When Facebook CEO Tom Alison stated in July that the company was thinking of ways to improve the experience for people who wanted to engage with creators and concentrate on entertainment, Meta hinted in a blog post that the feature would be coming to India.

Before making its way to the United States, he said the function would debut in nations with popular video content. Almost half of the world's population uses Meta's ecosystem, which includes Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. There are 3.58 billion active users per day and approximately 4 billion users every month. India is a crucial platform for Meta on a worldwide scale, with over 1 billion users across all of these channels.

India Holds a Key Operation Point to Meta

With an estimated 400 million individuals in India, Meta's advertising tools show that the country is its largest market in terms of users. After testing the waters in India and other countries with the Reels-first Facebook experience, Meta may think about bringing the format to the United States.

According to earlier statements, the corporation is considering testing a comparable experience with customers in the US at a later time. Tofler released Facebook's regulatory filing from January, which showed that the company's standalone earnings increased by about 28% to INR 647.45 crore for the fiscal year ending March 2025. The total operations expanded by 25% to INR 3,792.91 crore in FY 2025 from INR 3,034.82 crore the previous year, according to reports.