Meta is testing changes that could make Facebook and Instagram open directly into full-screen, TikTok-style video feeds. According to The Verge, a Facebook test in India drops users into an immersive video feed when they open the app, while an Instagram test in a handful of countries makes Reels the first thing users see. Meta spokesperson Devi Narasimhan said users can switch back to the original layout.
The tests are part of Meta's broader push toward video. The company has hinted at expanding the Facebook experience to "video-heavy countries" first, with a potential US expansion in 2027. On Instagram, Reels appear with sound on by default, though audio unmutes only after a user swipes or clicks into a video, per screenshots from researcher Radu Oncescu.
The shift has clear business implications for creators and platforms. The Verge notes that Meta's recent earnings call highlighted video metrics such as Facebook watch time and Reels ranking improvements, while barely mentioning Threads. At the same time, Morning Consult polling cited in the article found that 81 percent of US respondents had watched an Instagram Reel but only 39 percent had posted one, suggesting a growing gap between consumption and creation.
Not all tests become permanent features, and Meta could decide not to expand them. But the direction is clear: social platforms are betting on short-form video as the default experience, even as users post less.