- TikTok’s potential ban prompts new Instagram Reels features.
- See what your friends like and comment on. A new “friend activity” section shows you trending Reels among your circle.
- Start conversations with the new reply bar. Engage with friends and discuss the latest Reels.

What if TikTok suddenly disappeared? With a potential TikTok ban making headlines in the US, Instagram seems to be preparing for that possibility by adding two new features to Reels. These new features will make it easier to connect with friends over short videos, allowing you to see what they like and comment on. You can then instantly start conversations with your friends about that Reel.
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What’s New in Instagram Reels?
Instagram is making two key changes to Reels, both focused on connecting with friends.
1. Connecting with Friends
When you’re watching a Reel, you’ll now be able to see exactly which of your friends have liked it or if they’ve added a note. You’ll see their activity in a new section at the top right corner of the Reels tab.
2. Replying to Friends
Speaking of conversations, Instagram is also adding a new reply bar to Reels. This means you can instantly start chatting about a Reel right there in the app. If you see a friend liked a funny video, you can reply directly to their like and get the conversation going.

In addition to these new Reels updates, Instagram is also rolling out a change to profile grids which mirrors TikTok’s grid layout. The classic square layout in the profile section is changing to a rectangular (4:5) format. According to Instagram head Adam Mosseri, this change is designed to improve the viewing experience for the majority of content now shared on the platform. Because most photos and videos are now vertical, the rectangular grid displays them more naturally, minimizing the cropping.
However, this move to rectangular grids has drawn criticism as some users have carefully designed their profiles using the square format which may be affected. They worry that this change will disrupt their layouts and affect how their profiles look.


Why the Change?
As Instagram head Adam Mosseri explained in his recent video, “We want Instagram to not only be a place where creatives share their creativity, but one where people connect over that creativity—with friends, with shared interests.”
These new Reel features might sound familiar if you’re a TikTok user. Seeing what your friends are liking and commenting on is a core part of the TikTok experience. It’s how you discover trending sounds, challenges, and just generally what’s popular among your friends. Instagram is taking a similar approach to Reels, which could help attract users who are leaving TikTok.
The Rise of Alternatives
Instagram isn’t the only app looking to grab some attention if TikTok disappears. There’s also RedNote (the international version of Xiaohongshu), a Chinese app that’s like a mix of Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. It’s already popular in other parts of the world, and some people might choose to head there for viewing and creating short videos. This app also integrates e-commerce features, allowing users to directly purchase products featured in posts.
While the default language is Chinese, you can change it to English within the app. If you’re interested in exploring the app, you can easily sign in and try it out. It’s available on both the App Store and Play Store.
With Instagram adding these new Reels features and RedNote offering a different kind of experience, it will be interesting to see where people land if TikTok is banned.
Rollout Details
These new Reels features are rolling out in the US first, starting today. If you’re in the US, you should see these changes in your app soon. Instagram plans to bring these features to other countries later on, but hasn’t provided an exact timeline yet. If you’re outside the US, you’ll have to wait a little longer. Stay tuned for further updates.