Instagram, one of the most widely used social media platforms in the world, recently announced that it would be redesigning its interface. Among the changes, the platform will be removing the Shop tab and deprioritizing features aimed at competing with TikTok. This news, which was first reported by The Drum, has significant implications for businesses that rely on Instagram as a primary marketing channel and for users who have grown accustomed to certain features.
The Shop tab, which was first introduced in 2019, allowed businesses to create shoppable posts and link them to their e-commerce websites. This feature proved to be a valuable tool for small businesses looking to increase sales and grow their brand presence on the platform. However, with the removal of the Shop tab, these businesses will need to find alternative ways to drive traffic to their websites.
Instagram's decision to move away from TikTok-like features is also noteworthy. The platform has been criticized in the past for trying to be all things to all users, which has led to a cluttered user experience. By deprioritizing these features, Instagram is essentially admitting that it is not the best platform for short-form video content and that it should focus on what it does best.
This move towards streamlining the user experience and focusing on core features is a smart decision. As reported by Business of Apps, the average Instagram user spends 53 minutes per day on the platform, making it an extremely engaged audience. By providing a cleaner, more focused experience, Instagram is likely to increase user engagement and satisfaction, which will be beneficial for businesses in the long run.
Additionally, a study by Hootsuite highlights that Instagram's user base has grown 15.1% year-over-year, reaching 1 billion active users in 2021. The platform's huge reach offers a great opportunity for businesses of all sizes, who can reach out to a wide audience and drive sales at a fraction of the cost of traditional marketing methods.
As with any change, it's important to wait for official confirmation from Instagram. However, based on the information currently available, it's clear that the redesigned interface will have a significant impact on businesses and users alike. Businesses will need to adapt to the new changes, and users will need to get used to a slightly different experience.
Overall, the redesign* of Instagram's interface is an opportunity for the platform to focus on what it does best and provide users and businesses with a better experience. While the removal of the Shop tab and the deprioritization of TikTok-like features may be met with some resistance, these changes have the potential to lead to a more engaging and satisfying experience for all involved.
*How Social Media Managers feel about the redesign:
References
https://www.thedrum.com/news/2023/01/10/new-instagram-interface-nix-shop-tab-and-deprioritize-tiktok-competitor-product
https://www.businessofapps.com/data/instagram-statistics/
https://blog.hootsuite.com/instagram-statistics/