Social Media
Instagram’s New UI: The Drawbacks of the Notification Button’s New Placement
A Look at Instagram’s Revamped User Interface and Its Impact on User Experience
Instagram is one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, with millions of daily active users. Recently, Instagram rolled out a revamped user interface aimed at improving user experience and convenience. However, one of the significant updates, the notification button’s new placement, has caused some issues. Let’s dive into the drawbacks of this change and its impact on users.
We can talk about Drawbacks of the New Notification Button Placement:
Previously, the notification button was located in the bottom menu bar of the Instagram app. With the new UI update, Instagram moved the notification button to the top right corner of the app, replacing the direct message icon. While this change may seem minor, it has caused some inconvenience for users.
Firstly, the new placement is not suitable for one-handed use. The top right corner is not easily reachable for people with smaller hands or using larger phones. This makes it difficult to check notifications on the go, especially when multitasking.
Secondly, the new notification button placement can be confusing for users. The direct message icon, which used to be in the top right corner, was a more natural fit for the placement as users frequently use direct messages. With the notification button in the same position, it can be challenging to distinguish between the two icons.
Lastly, the new notification button placement has disrupted the muscle memory of many regular Instagram users. Users who were used to the previous placement may find it challenging to adjust to the new placement, leading to accidental taps on the direct message icon or difficulty in locating the notification button.
Other UI Updates:
New home screen design:
The new home screen features a new Reels tab and an updated Shop tab. The Reels tab highlights short videos, while the Shop tab provides easier access to shopping on Instagram.
Improved accessibility features:
Instagram has made several accessibility improvements, such as new contrast options and improved screen reader support.
Redesigned direct message interface:
The direct message interface has been redesigned to make it easier to navigate, with new chat themes, quick reactions, and animated message effects.
While these changes have been generally well-received, the new notification button placement remains a point of concern for users.
Conclusion:
Instagram’s new UI updates, including the new notification button placement, aim to improve user experience, but it has caused some inconvenience and confusion for users. The new placement is not suitable for one-handed use, can be confusing, and disrupts muscle memory. However, the new home screen design, improved accessibility features, and redesigned direct message interface have been welcomed by users. Instagram should consider revising the notification button placement to address the concerns of its users and provide a more user-friendly experience.
