Facebook is testing a Reels-first experience in India that takes selected users directly to full-screen videos when they open the app. The change puts short-form entertainment ahead of the traditional feed, raising questions about user choice, creator visibility and the platform’s future direction.
Facebook Reels-First Test: What Has Changed?
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has begun testing a new interface in India that makes Reels the first thing some users see when they open the app. Instead of landing on the familiar feed of friends’ updates, photographs, group posts and page content, selected users are taken directly to a full-screen video experience.
According to a report published by TechCrunch on October 6, 2026, the test is part of Meta’s broader effort to make Facebook more focused on video discovery. The company had outlined plans for a Reels-first experience earlier in the year.
The change does not mean Facebook’s traditional feed has been removed. Users included in the test can opt out and return to a feed-first experience, while the classic feed remains accessible through a separate tab.
For now, the feature is being tested with selected users rather than being introduced as a universal change across India. <Cite refs={[“turn758869search0″,”turn758869search1”]}/>
Why Is Meta Making Facebook More Video-Focused?
The shift reflects a wider change in how people consume content on social media. Short videos have become a major way for users to discover entertainment, follow creators, learn new skills and encounter trending discussions.
Reels allows Facebook users to watch a continuous stream of videos without having to select each one individually. A recommendation system helps determine what appears next, creating an experience centred on content discovery rather than manually browsing posts from friends and pages.
Meta has also been integrating video more closely into Facebook’s existing features. The company previously announced that new videos posted to Facebook would be shared as Reels, regardless of their length or format.
According to TechCrunch’s October report, Meta has said young adults spend around 60% of their time on Facebook watching videos. This helps explain why the company is experimenting with a design that makes video the starting point of the app.
However, the move also changes the balance between different types of content. Facebook has traditionally been associated with personal updates, community groups and connections with friends. A Reels-first interface gives entertainment and algorithmically recommended videos a more prominent position. <Cite refs={[“turn758869search0″,”turn758869search1”]}/>
Why Is India Important for Facebook’s Reels Strategy?
India is a significant market for Meta because of its large social media audience, widespread smartphone use and growing appetite for digital video.
TechCrunch reported in October 2026 that Meta’s advertising tools indicated a Facebook audience of more than 400 million people in India. Advertising audience estimates should not be confused with independently verified monthly active-user figures, but they demonstrate the scale of the market.
India has also been an important testing ground for Meta’s short-form video products. In September 2025, Instagram announced a limited Reels-first test for its mobile app in India. That experiment placed Reels at the centre of the experience while keeping other ways to connect and browse content available.
Meta’s own research, released in June 2026 and cited by TechCrunch, reported that 97% of surveyed users watched videos on its platforms daily and 89% of Gen Z respondents used Reels every day. These figures came from Meta-commissioned studies and should be understood in that context rather than as independent measurements of all Indian internet users.
The latest Facebook test follows the same broad strategy: making video easier to discover and reducing the steps required to start watching it. <Cite refs={[“turn758869search0″,”turn758869search12”]}/>
How Could the New Facebook Experience Affect Ordinary Users?
For people who regularly watch entertainment clips, comedy videos, cooking demonstrations, travel content or educational explainers, the new interface could make discovering videos more convenient.
Opening directly into Reels may also help users encounter creators and subjects they would not normally search for. Recommendations can introduce people to new interests, local businesses, regional entertainment and practical information.
However, the experience may not suit everyone.
Users who primarily open Facebook to check family updates, follow neighbourhood groups, read community announcements or view posts from organisations may prefer the traditional feed. They could find a video-first landing screen less convenient because the content they want is no longer the first thing displayed.
There are also practical considerations. Full-screen videos may consume mobile data, particularly when autoplay is enabled. Users with limited data plans or slower internet connections may prefer a less video-intensive browsing experience.
The effect will depend on how the test works on individual accounts and which controls Meta provides. Since the feature is still being tested, it is too early to conclude that every user will experience the same interface or that the new layout will become permanent.
What Does Facebook’s Reels-First Test Mean for Indian Creators?
The change could influence how creators plan their content. If Reels receives greater prominence on the opening screen, short-form video may become an even more important format for reaching audiences on Facebook.
Local creators in cities such as Nagpur, Indore, Jaipur, Lucknow and Coimbatore could use Reels to showcase food, cultural events, local businesses, travel destinations and community stories. Video can help these creators communicate visually and reach viewers beyond their immediate networks.
Small businesses may also see opportunities to demonstrate products, explain services or share customer experiences through short videos. For publishers, video could become a useful way to present news explainers, interviews and visual reports.
Still, a more prominent Reels interface does not guarantee higher reach, views or earnings. Distribution depends on several factors, including audience interest, content quality, recommendation systems and the platform’s changing rules.
Creators should therefore avoid abandoning other formats altogether. Photographs, text updates, carousels where available, community discussions and links can continue to serve audiences who want information rather than entertainment alone.
A sensible strategy is to experiment with short videos while monitoring actual engagement and retaining formats that meet the needs of existing followers.
Could a Reels-First Feed Change Facebook’s Identity?
Facebook’s evolution raises a larger question about what people expect from social media platforms.
The platform originally became popular as a place to connect with friends, share personal updates and participate in communities. Over time, recommendations, creator content, video and other entertainment formats have become increasingly prominent.
A Reels-first design pushes this shift further by making recommended video the first experience for selected users. Rather than beginning with updates from their existing network, users begin with a stream designed around content discovery.
This could help Facebook compete for attention in a social media environment where short-form video is central to several major platforms. It could also make the app feel less personal to people who value direct connections and community conversations.
The key question is whether users find the new arrangement useful enough to keep using it. A video-heavy interface may work well for some audiences but feel intrusive to others.
The test gives Meta an opportunity to study how people respond before deciding whether to expand the experience. Until the company announces a broader rollout, users should treat the change as an experiment rather than a confirmed replacement for Facebook’s traditional feed.
Key Takeaways
- Meta is testing a Facebook Reels-first interface in India that opens directly to full-screen videos for selected users.
- The traditional feed remains available, and users included in the test can opt out of the new experience.
- Creators and small businesses may benefit from greater video prominence, but increased reach or earnings are not guaranteed.
- The test reflects Meta’s growing focus on video discovery, although its long-term impact on Facebook’s identity remains uncertain.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Facebook’s Reels-first test in India?
It is a limited test in which selected Facebook users see a full-screen Reels experience when opening the app instead of the traditional feed.
2. Will Facebook remove the traditional News Feed?
There is no confirmed announcement that the traditional feed will be removed. During the reported test, it remains available through a separate tab, and participating users can opt out.
3. Will the Reels-first interface be available to everyone in India?
Meta has not confirmed a universal rollout. The feature is being tested with selected users, and availability may vary by account.
4. How can creators prepare for the Facebook Reels-first experience?
Creators can experiment with useful, original short videos, review audience engagement and maintain other content formats for followers who prefer conventional posts. They should not assume that the interface change will automatically increase views or income.
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