Instagram Tests A New Layout For Stories On Desktop

Instagram is testing a new way to display Stories on its desktop version, making it easier to scroll through them.

As Instagram integrates more and more mobile-only features into its platform’s desktop version, it’s redesigning parts of the UI to suit the big screen better. One such redesign is a new test that formats Instagram Stories in a carousel, giving users an easier way to go through Stories from the profiles they follow.

Currently, users can only see one Story at a time for a specific profile. It sits in the middle of the screen, leaving a lot of space unused. The new design really makes Story discovery and consumption a whole lot better and minimizes the need for extra clicks.

At the moment, users viewing a Story would need to exit the Story viewer to switch to a Story from a different account. The test brings other accounts into view, encouraging users to click on them.

Instagram clearly has a winner with Stories on its platform, as the feature is very popular with users. The company is doing its best to continue increasing user engagement with Stories, so it’s betting on bringing it to more surfaces and upgrading the experience as it goes along. At least on Instagram, Stories are fast becoming a key feature (if it isn’t already).

Instagram is testing a new way to display Stories on its desktop version, making it easier to discover Stories and scroll through them.

Click To Tweet

Instagram has been adding features to Instagram on desktop for several years now, bringing access to DMs early in 2020 and Instagram Live in April 2020.

We have no information at this time as to how many users are part of the test group or when Instagram plans on expanding the test or rolling out the new design.

Share this story with your network: