- Instagram exceeds 3.000 million monthly active users
- Reels and DMs gain prominence with navigation changes
- Testing: Opening Reels in India and Monitoring Algorithm Issues
- Enhanced security for minors with Teen accounts and AI detection
Instagram has broken the barrier of 3.000 million monthly active users, a milestone that confirms its importance as one of the most used platforms on the planet and reinforces the app's role within the Meta ecosystem.
Growth doesn't come alone: the company is reorienting the experience towards what its communities use most, with short videos (Reels), direct messages and recommendations as pillars, in addition to tests that give the user more control over what they see.
A milestone that redefines Instagram's role in Meta
Meta confirmed that the app has gone from 1.000 billion in 2018 to 2.000 billion in 2022 and now to 3.000 billion users, a curve that places it at the level of the group's most popular services, such as Facebook and WhatsApp.
The 2012 bet, when Meta bought Instagram for 1.000 million Despite initial doubts, it has proved decisive: Today, the platform is estimated to provide more than half of Meta's advertising revenue in the US., proof of its commercial traction.
From the social network address They admit that scale isn't everything: in addition to retaining its base, They seek to maintain the platform's cultural relevance among increasingly fragmented audiences..
In parallel, the regulatory context does not disappear from the radar: The FTC's antitrust case in the US could lead to harsher measures in the future., including scenarios in which Instagram may separate from the group, something that remains to be clarified.
Reels, DMs and the shift to short video
Since 2020, Reels has been the big catalyst: today, More than 50% of the time on Instagram is spent consuming video, with a substantial portion coming from recommended content outside of what each user follows, and tools to subtitle your Reels.
The way of sharing has also moved: the private messaging It is the favorite channel for posting, followed by Stories, while the photo feed is losing prominence., something that a part of the community observes with nostalgia.
The competition continues to tighten: TikTok surpasses 1.000 billion monthly active users y YouTube Shorts keeps the pulse; even so, Instagram's scale gives it an advantage in distribution and monetization.
Interface and navigation: what you use most is closer at hand
Instagram is preparing changes to bring the focus of activity to the forefront: DMs and Reels will gain visibility in the main navigation to reduce friction when accessing these functions.
In markets such as India and South Korea, the app will be tested to see if it can be used. open directly in Reels (with voluntary participation), an idea that has already appeared in the iPad version and, if successful, could be extended to other countries.
In addition to organizing shortcuts, the company is exploring deeper tweaks to the navigation bar. According to internal testing and reports, New shortcuts for posting and accessing messages, including options for Use Meta Edits, although any broad changes would be rolled out gradually to minimize the impact on the experience.
More control over the algorithm and recommendations
A long-awaited new feature arrives: an editor that allows choose topics you want to see more (and hide others) on Reels. The idea takes note of community habits, such as the popular “dear algorithm,” to transform informal requests into explicit signals.
The feature starts on Reels and, if successful, could be extended to publications, Stories and other surfaces. Accessed from the Reels feed settings icon, you can add interests or mark those that don't suit you.
Meta combines these direct signals with the usual indirect ones (who you follow, what you save, what you skip). The improvement relies on AI advances and large language models that better tag videos to personalize recommendations.
For those who prefer to start from scratch, the restart recommendations in Explore, Reels, and Feed, now complemented by the theme editor for further refinement.
Child Safety: AI Detection and Teen Accounts
Meta is testing a technology in the United States AI age detection that identifies potential teen accounts even if they registered as adults and automatically moves them to Teen Accounts, a more secure environment. If there are errors, the user can review and correct the setting.
These accounts, launched to create a safer experience, implement measures such as: default privacy, sensitive content filters, the possibility of disable the real-time sharing feature and limits on who can contact them. Some of the key protections include:
- Private Start Account y messages only from people you follow.
- restriction of potentially harmful content or sensitive.
- Notice if they exceed 60 minutes of daily use and a night rest mode.
For minors under 16 years of age, it is required parental approval to modify parameters. Meta states that tens of millions of teenagers already use these protections and that the vast majority keep them active; the initiative comes in a context of age verification laws and debates on youth mental health.
- Available iPhone, Android, iPad and also via the web or Windows app.
With the number of users skyrocketing, the focus on short video, private messaging and recommendation control marks Instagram's immediate roadmap as the company calibrates interface changes and consolidates security measures that seek to balance growth, business, and a more tailored experience for each person.
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