Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Facebook Tests Reels-First Experience in India as Video Grows
Meta is testing a different way for some people in India to open Facebook.
Instead of seeing posts first, they may see videos filling the screen.
These videos are called Reels.
People in the test can still choose to see the regular Feed first.
The Feed is also kept in its own tab.
Meta says many people in India watch videos on its apps.
The article says 97% of surveyed respondents watch videos on Meta platforms daily.
Meta is testing this change as it gives video a bigger role on Facebook.
Meta is testing a Facebook interface in India that opens some users directly to full-screen Reels.
The traditional Feed remains available in a separate tab, and test participants can switch back to a Feed-first experience.
Meta says video is becoming more central to Facebook; it has said new videos uploaded to the platform will be shared as Reels, regardless of length or format.
The article reports that 97% of surveyed respondents in India watch videos on Meta platforms daily, while 89% of Gen Z users engage with Reels daily.
India is Meta’s largest market by users, with its advertising tools indicating an audience of more than 400 million; Facebook’s FY2025 standalone profit rose about 28% to Rs 647.45 crore.
- Who
- Meta and Facebook users included in the test.
- What
- A test that opens Facebook to a full-screen Reels experience for some users.
- When
- The articles do not specify when the India test began.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Meta is giving video a more prominent role on Facebook amid high video consumption in India.
Video-first experience
Feed-first experience
Facebook’s opening screen
Video-first experience
The test opens Facebook directly to full-screen Reels, reflecting Meta’s aim to make the app more video-centric.
Feed-first experience
Users who prefer the traditional layout can opt out, and the classic Feed remains available as a separate tab.
- Test market
- India; the articles describe it as the first market where the test has been publicly reported.
- Interface change
- Some users open Facebook directly to a full-screen video or Reels interface.
- Feed access
- The traditional Feed remains available in a separate tab, and users can opt out of the test.
- Video viewing
- The article reports 97% of surveyed respondents in India watch videos on Meta platforms daily.
- Reels use
- The article reports 89% of Gen Z users in India engage with Reels daily.
- Meta audience in India
- Meta advertising tools indicate an audience of more than 400 million people.
- Facebook FY2025 results
- Standalone profit rose about 28% to Rs 647.45 crore; overall operations grew 25% to Rs 3,792.91 crore.
