Instagram Reels showing newest comments at the top instead of most liked? You're not alone

Instagram seems to be rolling out another tweak that nobody asked for. This time, it’s all about how comments appear on Reels, and users are not thrilled. If you’ve noticed that the most-liked comments no longer claim their rightful place at the top, you’re not alone. Instead, Instagram now seems to be sorting comments based on timestamps, making the top comment section feel more like a chaotic group chat than a curated highlight reel.

While this may not seem like a big deal at first, it’s a jarring shift for users who are used to diving into the best, most upvoted takes before anything else. Now, the latest comments — whether insightful, hilarious, or completely random — are what greet you first, leaving the popular ones buried somewhere in the mix. This change, notably, only affects comments on Reels. Regular Instagram posts still prioritize the most-liked comments at the top, making Reels feel like an experimental playground for Instagram’s algorithm tweaks.

The frustration among users is palpable, with many lamenting the loss of the old ranking system. The ability to quickly see the most engaging and widely appreciated comments is something many took for granted, and now they’re left scrolling aimlessly through a mix of fresh but often less relevant remarks. What makes matters worse? There’s currently no setting to toggle back to the previous sorting method. Instagram has yet to officially address the change, leaving users wondering if this is a permanent shift or just another short-lived experiment.

Notably, this change isn’t limited to a specific device or operating system. After testing on both Android and iOS devices, my colleague and I can confirm that the new comment sorting system is universal, pointing to a deliberate update on Instagram’s end rather than a platform-specific glitch. Some users have reported occasional glimpses of the old system, which means Instagram might still be fine-tuning things behind the scenes. But for now, if you’re looking for that one witty, top-liked comment that perfectly sums up a Reel, you might have to dig a little deeper — or just brace yourself for whatever the newest comment section chaos throws your way.

With no clear fix in sight, users will either have to adjust to the new sorting method or hope Instagram eventually brings back the beloved top comment system. In the meantime, Reels are starting to feel a little different — and not in a good way. Instagram, what’s next?