Instagram, the social media giant with over two billion active monthly users worldwide, is once again at the center of a heated debate. In mid-October 2025, the platform rolled out a sweeping redesign of its interface—specifically, a major overhaul of its navigation bar and content moderation policies—that has left users both confused and frustrated, while also sparking broader conversations about digital privacy and the handling of sensitive content.
The changes came fast and, for many, without much warning. According to Daily Mail and statements from Meta, Instagram’s parent company, the update completely reorganized the bottom navigation bar, which for years had been the familiar gateway to the app’s core features: the home feed, search, new post creation, Reels, and user profile. In the new layout, the search and Reels icons swapped places, and—perhaps most controversially—the iconic plus sign for creating a new post was removed from the center and replaced by the direct messages icon, a paper plane. The post creation button now sits tucked away in the top right corner, a move that has disrupted the muscle memory of millions.
But the changes didn’t stop there. Instagram also introduced a new swipe-based navigation system, allowing users to move between the home feed, messages, and Reels simply by swiping sideways, much like tabs on a computer. While this might sound like a neat trick, it’s caused widespread confusion. The same swipe gesture is used to flip through multiple images within a post, leading many users to accidentally jump to entirely different sections of the app when all they wanted was to see the next photo.
The backlash was swift and loud. Social media platforms, especially X (formerly Twitter), lit up with complaints. One user summed up the mood: "The new Instagram design annoys me more than I can describe. I try to swipe to see another photo in a post, and I find myself on a completely different page." Another wrote, "Instagram’s new interface is extremely annoying." Others went even further, with comments like, "No one asked for this change," and, "All I want is an app to share photos, with a chronological feed showing posts only from people I follow—like it used to be."
This isn’t the first time Instagram has faced such criticism. In recent years, campaigns like "Make Instagram Instagram Again" have trended online, reflecting a growing nostalgia for the app’s early days as a simple photo-sharing platform. Since its launch in 2010 and subsequent acquisition by Mark Zuckerberg in 2012, Instagram has transformed dramatically—most notably with the rise of short-form video content (Reels) in a bid to compete with TikTok.
Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, responded to the uproar by clarifying that the redesign is still in the testing phase and is currently available only to a limited number of users. In a post on Threads, Mosseri explained, "We reorganized the interface based on what people use most on the app, especially Reels and direct messages, and made them easier to reach with your thumb." He acknowledged, "We know these changes take time to get used to, so we’ve made them available as a trial for those who want to try them early." Despite these assurances, many users remain unconvinced, with some sarcastically suggesting, "Just make a separate app for Reels and be done with it."
On top of the interface changes, Instagram has introduced new features that have proven equally divisive. Among them is a function allowing friends to see which posts you’ve liked in a dedicated tab. Some users have described this as a "privacy violation" and even a "sinister feature," fearing it could expose personal or embarrassing preferences. According to Meta, these rapid-fire updates are part of a broader strategy to make Instagram safer and more organized, leveraging artificial intelligence to analyze user behavior—particularly among teenagers.
But perhaps the most consequential change came in Instagram’s approach to content moderation. On October 18, 2025, Instagram removed more than a million accounts suspected of spreading misinformation and hateful content, particularly in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The deleted content included misinformation, as well as photos, videos, and Reels documenting the conflict. Instagram stated that the update significantly increases its ability to detect and remove harmful content, aiming to prevent the spread of violence and hate on the platform.
New evidence reported on October 19, 2025, by Meta’s Instagram team confirmed that a large number of accounts from the West Bank had been removed after the latest update to its content moderation policy. The update led to the deletion of accounts posting new photos and videos about the conflict, intensifying Instagram’s efforts to police content related to ongoing global crises. The company described this as a "major update" in its content moderation strategy, with the explicit goal of protecting users from exposure to violent and hateful material.
The timing and scope of these removals have not gone unnoticed. Critics argue that while the intention to curb misinformation and hate is laudable, the mass deletion of accounts—especially those documenting events in conflict zones—raises concerns about censorship and the silencing of marginalized voices. Supporters of the update, on the other hand, contend that platforms like Instagram have a responsibility to prevent the spread of dangerous falsehoods and violent imagery, particularly during periods of heightened tension.
Instagram’s approach to content moderation has evolved significantly since its early days. The platform began its policy of removing harmful content in 2010, expanding it in 2012 to include video content as TikTok’s influence grew. The most recent update marks a continuation of this trajectory, reflecting both the challenges and the responsibilities of running a global social network in an age of rapid information exchange and digital activism.
As Instagram moves forward, it faces a delicate balancing act: maintaining a user-friendly and innovative platform while safeguarding privacy and ensuring that its policies do not inadvertently suppress important voices. For now, the company appears determined to press ahead with its changes, even as it acknowledges the backlash and pledges to listen to user feedback. Whether these updates will ultimately improve the Instagram experience or drive users away remains to be seen—but one thing’s for sure: the world is watching, and the debate over Instagram’s future is far from over.