Circle Instagram Highlights return for some users; Reels no longer count FB views

The Unexpected Return of Circle Highlights

If you've opened Instagram lately and felt a wave of nostalgia, you're not alone. A growing number of users are reporting the reappearance of classic circle highlights beneath profile bios, a quiet but welcome revert from the cluttered grid integration that rolled out earlier this year.

This shift back to circles comes after Instagram's September attempt to "simplify" profiles by moving highlights into the main feed or a dedicated tab. Users quickly labeled the change confusing and obstructive, with feedback flooding social media. Now, as circles resurface for select accounts, platforms like X and Reddit are alight with relief. One enthusiastic user posted, "instagram went back to the circle highlights😭😭😭😭 best news ever thank GOD," while others in r/Instagram shared how their profiles suddenly looked neat again. However, this revert appears gradual, with some profiles still sporting the newer layout, hinting at ongoing testing by Meta.

Why Instagram Reversed Course on Highlights

Instagram's initial move to ditch circles was driven by a desire to declutter and modernize profiles. Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, previously explained the goal was to get more content "above the fold" by eliminating what insiders call "pogs"—the circular highlight icons. The new design placed highlights in a tab or grid, aiming for a cleaner aesthetic.

Yet, user experience told a different story. Many found navigating highlights more cumbersome, with decreased visibility impacting engagement. The revert suggests Instagram is heeding community backlash, prioritizing familiarity and ease of use over radical redesign. This iterative approach reflects Meta's willingness to adapt based on real-world feedback, even if it means walking back recent updates. It's a reminder that in social media, user comfort often trumps innovation when changes miss the mark.

Impact on Profile Engagement and Aesthetics

Circle highlights excel in immediate visual appeal and accessibility. Positioned prominently under the bio, they act as a curated showcase, encouraging taps with their recognizable, inviting form. In contrast, the tab or grid integration required extra steps to access, potentially reducing interaction rates for stories and promotional content.

For creators and businesses, this visibility is crucial. Highlights often house tutorials, FAQs, or brand stories that drive traffic and conversions. The return to circles may boost engagement by restoring intuitive navigation. Moreover, it highlights Instagram's balance between aesthetic minimalism and functional design—sometimes, the old way just works better for user connection.

Circles vs. Tabs: A Usability Showdown

When highlights were moved to a tab with a heart icon, they became part of a vertical list, saving space but adding friction. Circles, with their horizontal layout, offer at-a-glance browsing that aligns with how users scan profiles. This subtle usability edge can significantly influence how visitors explore content, making the revert a win for user-centric design.

The Reels View Count Dilemma

While highlights make a cheerful return, another change is stirring creator anxiety: Reels no longer aggregating Facebook views. Previously, crossposted Reels combined Instagram and Facebook views into a single, impressive total, amplifying reach for marketers and influencers.

Now, many accounts display only Instagram-specific views, causing metrics to plummet overnight. On r/InstagramMarketing, one creator shared how a Reel's count dropped from 225,000 to 25,000 after Facebook views were excluded. This sudden dip undermines credibility and deal negotiations, with similar reports surfacing on Threads and other forums. Although this glitched briefly months ago, its persistence now hints at a potential policy shift, leaving creators in limbo as Meta remains silent.

Optimizing Your Highlights in the New-Old Layout

With circles back in play, it's time to refine your highlight strategy. Start by adding content without reposting: tap a highlight, select the three dots, choose "Edit Highlight," and pull from your archive. Customize cover photos by pinching to adjust or selecting images from your camera roll in the edit menu.

To rearrange order, remove and re-add photos to push them forward. Ensure "Save to Archive" is enabled in settings for seamless access. Organize highlights by themes like travel or tutorials, using clear covers and titles. Instagram even suggests location-based highlights—leverage these prompts to keep your profile dynamic and engaging, regardless of layout tweaks.

Pro Tips for Highlight Mastery

Think of highlights as a living portfolio. Regularly update them with fresh stories, use consistent branding for covers, and highlight user-generated content to foster community. By treating circles as prime real estate, you can turn casual visitors into engaged followers, even amidst platform changes.

What These Changes Signal for Instagram's Future

Instagram's dual moves—reverting highlights and separating Reels views—paint a picture of a platform fine-tuning its ecosystem. The highlight revert demonstrates responsiveness to user sentiment, a positive nod to community-driven development. Conversely, the Reels view shift may indicate a push for platform-specific analytics, encouraging creators to focus on native Instagram performance.

As testing continues, users should expect more iterative updates. The key is adaptability: provide feedback through official channels and engage authentically. Ultimately, these changes underscore Instagram's ongoing quest to balance innovation with user experience, where sometimes, going back to circles is the best way forward.