Meta scrambles to fix Instagram Reels as explicit content runs wild; plans for separate Reels app

On February 26, 2025, Instagram users scrolling through their Reels feeds got an unwelcome surprise: a flood of graphic, violent, and downright disturbing content. Even those with sensitive content filters turned on couldn’t escape the chaos. But here’s the good news: Meta’s already on it, admitting it’s a glitch and promising a fix. “We are fixing an error that caused some users to see content in their Instagram Reels feed that should not have been recommended,” the company told CNBC in a statement. So, while your feed might still feel like a horror movie audition reel, relief is on the way.

This isn’t Instagram’s first rodeo with rogue content. In July 2024, a similar wave of inappropriate content crashed onto users’ screens, sparking headlines and memes galore. And here’s where it gets spooky: some users swear they saw the same gore-fest on February 26, 2023, which is enough to make you wonder if Instagram’s got a February curse.

Speaking of eerie timing, let’s talk about the prophet who saw this coming. A post about a reel is circulating on Reddit saying users were warned to “be ready for 26th February” like the reel knew something we didn’t, and bam — here we are. Redditors chimed in with, “I saw it a few days ago — ‘Get ready for the 26th!’ — like a warning shot!” Was it a lucky guess based on past hiccups, or does someone out there have a crystal ball? Either way, it’s got the internet buzzing with conspiracy theories and raised eyebrows.

And then there’s this too:

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A post shared by 27 February (@27february.2025)

While Meta scrambles to mop up this mess, they’ve also dropped a bombshell: Instagram might soon spin Reels into its own standalone app to take on TikTok. The Information reports that Meta’s eyeing this move to capitalize on TikTok’s shaky future in the US, giving users a dedicated video-scrolling playground. Bold timing, right? Launching a new app while your current one’s misbehaving is like opening a restaurant during a kitchen fire — but Meta’s betting big on Reels’ 17.6 million daily watch hours to pull it off. The timing of this news, juxtaposed with the content debacle, has led some to question whether the two events are interconnected or merely an unfortunate coincidence.

Now, let’s try connect the dystopian dots. February 26 isn’t just cursed for Harry Potter characters. In 2023, users reported eerily similar Reels chaos, with Meta staying suspiciously quiet. Fast-forward to 2024, and Instagram’s feed became a minefield of spam and borderline content, prompting calls for better moderation. Now, 2025’s replay suggests a systemic issue — or a very stubborn glitch.

Why does this keep happening? Is it Instagram’s push to monetize Reels that has strained its content filters? The platform’s AI, trained to prioritize “engagement,” sometimes mistakes shock value for relevance. Combine that with thousands of job cuts in trust-and-safety teams, and you’ve got a perfect storm for algorithmic chaos.

For everyday scrollers, the bigger question is: Can Instagram Reels be saved? After three years of recurring nightmares, user patience is understandably wearing thin.