Instagram Hits 3 Billion Users, Unveils Interface Updates

Instagram has achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming Meta’s third platform to reach 3 billion monthly active users. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri jointly announced the achievement on September 24, 2025, solidifying Meta’s dominance in the social media landscape alongside Facebook and WhatsApp.

The staggering user count represents over one-third of the global population logging into Instagram each month. Considering the app’s unavailability in China and limited internet access in various regions, more than half of all people worldwide with access to Instagram are now regular users.

Enhanced Reels Customization

To celebrate the milestone, Instagram introduced a new feature allowing users to view and edit topics the algorithm believes they enjoy. Users can now tap an adjustment icon within Reels to see suggested topics, remove unwanted content, and add preferred subjects. The platform will then highlight chosen topics with in-stream tags, offering greater control over the viewing experience.

Redesigned Navigation Interface

Instagram is also implementing significant UI changes to improve accessibility. The messaging button will relocate from the top to the bottom navigation bar, joining the Home feed and Reels icons for easier switching between core functions. The create icon moves to the top left, while the search icon shifts slightly right.

These updates reflect Instagram’s evolution, with Reels now dominating user engagement. While the app still opens to the traditional home feed for most users, some markets are testing a Reels-first experience—a potential indicator of future changes as short-form video continues driving platform growth.