YOMZANSI. Documenting THE CULTUREYOMZANSI. Documenting THE CULTURE
  • LATEST
    • TV & FILM
    • MUSIC
    • EVENTS
    • FASHION
    • LIFESTYLE
    • TECH
    • VIDEOS
    • FOOD
    • SPORTS
    • CAREERS/TIPS
  • FOOTWEAR
  • EDITORIALS
  • COVERS
  • PODCAST
  • EXPERIENCES
  • SHOP
Facebook Twitter Instagram
  • ABOUT
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • ADVERTISE
  • DISCLAIMER
  • CONTACT
  • REGISTER
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube TikTok
YOMZANSI. Documenting THE CULTURE YOMZANSI. Documenting THE CULTURE
  • LATEST
    • TV & FILM
    • MUSIC
    • EVENTS
    • FASHION
    • LIFESTYLE
    • TECH
    • VIDEOS
    • FOOD
    • SPORTS
    • CAREERS/TIPS
  • FOOTWEAR
  • EDITORIALS
  • COVERS
  • PODCAST
  • EXPERIENCES
  • SHOP
LOGIN
YOMZANSI. Documenting THE CULTUREYOMZANSI. Documenting THE CULTURE
Home » Instagram is changing to be like TikTok (whether you like it or not)
Sci-Tech

Instagram is changing to be like TikTok (whether you like it or not)

It seems like there is no way to "Make Instagram Instagram Again"...
yomzansiBy yomzansi3 years ago
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Reddit Email

It seems like there is no way to “Make Instagram Instagram Again”…

In the battle of social media giants, every platform has to always be on its toes to stay relevant in the market, attract new users and still be better than its competitors. 

With a bunch of changes coming and going, a platform can easily leave its users dissatisfied and pissed.

This is the case with Instagram, which has been introducing a bunch of changes to its platform throughout. One can’t even keep up.

The Meta-owned company is now making all stops to push into short videos, a market that is currently dominated by TikTok on mobile.

 

 

Moving to short video format – Reels

The recent changes by the company to bank more on video content (Reels to be specific) and ‘want-to-be’ like TikTok have left regular users and still photographers in the cold. Whether you like this or not, the company has clearly decided this is where its future lies.

Instagram head Adam Mosseri made an announcement last year that the company would double down on video and focus on Reels, and this indicates that this may have always been the plan.

New full screen interface & dark mode

Another major change in the subject is the new full-screen layout/interface change (which you can preview here), which has been available to a number of users so far. 

Although it has not rolled out to all users yet, the changes seem in line with its plans to move away from just being a photo-sharing app to becoming the next TikTok by feeding users with video content as much as possible. 

That means posts now appear in a larger 9:16 ratio and take up more of the screen. For a video creator, the new interface is accommodating, but if you’re sharing photos, then it’s a different story.

“We’re moving Instagram to a place where video is a bigger part of the home experience, where content is more immersive – it takes up more of the screen,” said Mosseri.

This layout update also comes with the change of the background to black.

Users usually get to choose whether they want apps to appear in dark or light mode, but the app won’t allow you to switch between the two and will just remain in dark mode.

Video uploads to be shared as Reels

Meta

Instagram recently announced that video posts will now be shared as Reels and will let other users use any of your public posts (including still images) in their own Reels.

By default, the platform will give users the option to either upload video content to feed/IGTV or Reels, but now all video posts shorter than 15 minutes will be shared as reels. Videos posted prior to this change will remain as videos and won’t become reels.

Overall, this means there won’t be any difference between Reels and video posts, and the tabs on your profile will be merged. Reels will no longer be restricted to ‘short’ videos (which were previously limited to 90 seconds max), and all videos will be shown in vertical format or full-screen orientation. 

This will mean when you’re creating videos for Instagram, you might also want to consider shooting them in this format.

Anyone can now Remix your Reels and Photos

Meta

If your account is public, anyone will be able to use any of your public posts to create their own Reel. Until now, users have only been able to remix Reels, but they’ll be able to use photos too. Luckily, you are able to go to settings (Privacy) to completely turn off this Remix feature to prevent your photos from turning up in strange mashups. 

Now it’s up to you…

The above changes bring a new experience to different users, and that seems to be Instagram’s plan in taking this direction.

Some users will find it exciting, while some will totally be against it. But at the same time, it risks losing what made it unique from the start, becoming more like other social media platforms. Instagram revealed that Reels is its the fastest-growing content format, hence the decision to refine it more. If you’re a current user of the platform, it has become acceptable that the platform is all about video, so it’s up to you to stick to it or opt out. 

 


Share your thoughts on this article and join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook.

 

Receive exclusive and latest updates on Music, Sneakers, Fashion and latest trends.


 

(Visited 3,309 times, 1 visits today)
Adam Mosseri Featured Instagram Meta TikTok
Previous ArticleWATCH: Apple shares new trailer for ‘See’ third and final season
Next Article Another chance to cop the A Ma Maniére Air Jordan 2 “Airness” this Saturday

Related Posts

WhatsApp is rolling out usernames, ending need to share phone numbers

6 hours ago

Top Stories in AFRICA this week: Ramaphosa & Trump, U.S. tariffs, Mpox, Mondlane and more

9 hours ago

Nintendo sells record 3.5 million Switch 2 units in just 4 days

1 day ago

DMs are coming to Threads

2 days ago

iOS 26: Call Screening, iMessage, Music, Virtual Car key, and more

3 days ago

Meet Apple’s new operating system ‘Liquid Glass’

3 days ago
GET OUR NEWSLETTER
Receive exclusive and latest updates on Music, Sneakers, Fashion and latest trends.


ABOUT – SUBSCRIBE – ADVERTISE – DISCLAIMER – CONTACT

YOMZANSI is an award-winning cultural platform, an influential publication covering News & Trends in Music, Sneakers, Fashion, Events, Tech & Motoring.

If you believe any materials accessible on or from this platform infringe your copyright, you may request removal of those materials (or access to them) from the Website by submitting written notification to yomzansi@gmail.com. We do not claim ownership of some of the images used on this website and all attempts will be made to list the sources.

Copyright © 2025 YOMZANSI

We're social. Connect with us:

Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube TikTok

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Sign In or Register

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below.


Lost password?
pixel