Instagram has officially rolled out a significant change to its platform: the iconic square grid format is no more. The social media giant has transitioned to a new, taller grid preview that prioritises vertical content, reflecting the growing dominance of video and mobile-first content consumption.
This shift has been in the works for some time. Instagram head Adam Mosseri previously announced the change, stating, “We started with the tall grid because most photos and videos that are uploaded to Instagram at this point are vertical and rectangles do a better job showing off those photos and videos.” The move aligns with Instagram’s broader strategy to compete with short-form video platforms like TikTok, emphasising video content and a more immersive user experience.
While the change offers potential benefits like better showcasing vertical videos and photos, it may also present challenges. Users who have carefully curated square grids for their profiles may find the new format disruptive. Existing aesthetic layouts could be disrupted, requiring users to adapt their content strategy to the taller aspect ratio. This could be jarring for some, impacting their established online presence and potentially requiring significant adjustments to maintain their desired aesthetic.
Instagram is also introducing new features to help users navigate this transition. Mosseri announced plans to move Highlights into the main grid and add them as a dedicated tab. “Highlights are a great way to showcase your favorite stories, but they are visually complicated and push your grid down,” Mosseri explained. “In order to maintain creator control, we’re building a tool so you can re-order your entire grid and make it whatever you want.”
Furthermore, Instagram is adding the ability to post directly to your grid, bypassing the main feed altogether. This gives users more control over how their content is displayed and presented on their profile.
Mosseri acknowledged that this plan may evolve as Instagram iterates on these new features. He emphasised the importance of user feedback and stated, “I’m hoping sharing our intentions early will help avoid any more harsh surprises.”
This is not the first time Instagram has experimented with its grid format. The platform has previously tested various layouts, including a chronological feed option, in response to user feedback and evolving content trends.
The transition to a taller grid format and the introduction of these new features reflect the platform’s ongoing efforts to stay relevant in a rapidly changing digital landscape and cater to the evolving preferences of its users. This shift also highlights the constant evolution of social media platforms and their need to adapt to changing user behaviors and technological advancements.
