Meta tests video-first Facebook display opening directly to Reels in India

Meta is testing a new user interface on Facebook that directs select users in India straight into full-screen video when opening the application. Social Media Today and TechCrunch both reported on October 6, 2026, that the platform is testing a layout that prioritizes Reels over the standard feed display. [1][2]

The test puts short-form video content at the center of the Facebook user experience in India. According to Social Media Today, Meta is expanding trials of this feature on Facebook after experimenting with a similar option on Instagram that enables users to set the Reels feed as their default home view. [1]

The feature aligns with plans outlined in July 2026 by Facebook head Tom Alison to deliver an immersive display. TechCrunch reported that Alison previously announced plans to test a video-forward interface later in the year across video-heavy markets outside the United States without specifying locations at the time. [2]

Meta is evaluating the performance of the video-first interface in India before considering a broader global expansion. Social Media Today reported that the company plans to assess trials of the feature before introducing the Reels-first home option to additional countries. [1]