Instagram quietly relocates search bar to bottom, users aren't having it

Instagram seems to have a knack for triggering a huge part of its user base every now and then with random changes or unintended bugs. Earlier this month, the platform began changing the placement of Highlights, which resulted in swift backlash from a good chunk of users. And just this week, a bug resulted in Stories going missing for many. Now, another change has users riled up and wanting Instagram to hit the brakes. 

The photo-sharing giant has moved the search bar from its familiar top position down to the bottom navigation bar, and the reaction has been largely negative.

The change appeared for some users over the past few days, catching them off guard as they reached for the search function in its usual spot. Reddit threads quickly popped up with confused users asking, “Why is my search bar at the bottom?” and “How do I fix this?” One user commented, “I hate it so much.”

It’s not just Reddit. Angry users are flocking to X and Threads, highlighting the change they deem unnecessary.

Some users report having the bottom search bar on one account but not others, suggesting Instagram is conducting A/B testing rather than a full rollout. This gradual approach has left many wondering if they’re experiencing a bug or an intentional design choice.

Initially, some speculated the change was related to the new iOS 26 update, but Instagram users on Android are also seeing the modification. So it has nothing to do with Apple’s latest OS update; rather, it’s just something Instagram tweaked on its own accord.

Personally, I actually appreciate the bottom search bar placement. While I haven’t received it on my Android or iOS devices yet (standard A/B testing), I think it feels more natural to use, especially on phones with bigger screens.

I’m sure many others would agree with this sentiment once they get used to it. However, given the intense backlash we’re seeing, perhaps Instagram should consider offering users a choice in search bar placement, similar to how Google Chrome now allows users to position their address bar. It would be a win-win situation for both camps.

It seems like this change will tie into the bigger changes Instagram has planned. Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri recently announced significant changes coming to the platform, prioritizing features that have driven the app’s growth to three billion users.

The company plans to restructure the bottom navigation bar entirely, moving direct messages from a swipe gesture to a dedicated tab and removing the posting button from the bottom bar. Users will also be able to pick and choose the type of content they want the algorithm to push in their feeds.

These upcoming changes suggest the search bar relocation might be just the beginning of Instagram’s interface transformation. So users might just have to get accustomed to the UI tweaks, whether they like it or not.

Either way, feel free to share your thoughts on this in the comments below.

Featured image credit: theiosguy101 / Threads