Instagram really said, “new year, new me”. Over the past month or so, the app has rolled out a bunch of updates – from a refreshed grid aesthetic to longer videos. Feeling a bit out of the loop? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a quick rundown of everything you need to know.
New grid dimensions
One of the biggest changes is the updated grid layout. Your profile grid now displays images in a 3:4 ratio instead of the classic 1:1 square. To make things more interesting, feed posts will appear in a 4:5 ratio. This means it’s important to upload images that look great in both dimensions.
Our tip? Post images in 4:5, leaving a bit of padding on the sides. That way, your photos will still look polished even when slightly cropped on your grid.
Worried about older posts that were uploaded in 1:1? No problem. You can adjust the preview by clicking on the post, tapping the three dots in the top right corner, and selecting ‘adjust preview.’
No more third-party fact checkers
In a move that resembles X, Meta has changed its content moderation policies, replacing third-party fact-checkers with a ‘Community Notes’ system. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says the change is aimed at fostering a ‘community-driven’ approach, trusting users to identify and fact-check misinformation themselves.
This update, however, has stirred up quite a bit of controversy. With social media increasingly becoming people’s primary source of news, critics argue that removing moderators could lead to a rise in the spread of misinformation – particularly around topics like politics.
New Reels tab
Do you miss the days when you could see what your friends were up to on Instagram – their likes, follows, and comments? Loved it or loathed it (we all know it stirred up some dramaaa), Instagram is bringing back something very similar.
Over the past week, some users have spotted a new feature at the top right of the Reels they’re watching – profile bubbles showing which friends have interacted with that Reel. Tap the bubble, and you can see what other Reels they’ve been engaging with.
It’s all about boosting interaction, so there’s a reply bar under the Reel meaning you can quickly respond to your friends’ interactions with the content.
3-minute Reels
In the wake of all the TikTok drama in the US, it seems Instagram is pulling out all the stops to lure TikTok users over. One big move? Extending the maximum length of Reels from 90 seconds to three minutes.
What’s interesting is that Instagram previously warned against posting longer Reels, claiming it could hurt performance and engagement. So, will this change make a difference? Only time will tell, but it will definitely be interesting to see how longer Reels perform in the coming months.
A CapCut dupe
In yet another bid to pinch TikTok’s users, Instagram has unveiled a brand-new editing app called ‘Edits’ – and yes, it’s giving major ‘CapCut’ vibes. Launching on 13th March 2025, the app promises loads of creative tools, early trend inspo and even a higher-quality camera than the one on the Instagram app itself.
You’ll also be able to film videos up to 10 minutes long, share drafts and track how your videos are performing via insights. It’s safe to say Edits is Instagram’s latest power play to keep creators hooked.
Trial Reels
Instagram’s new Trial Reels feature is designed to help creators be more creative and maximise their reach by sharing Reels with a small sample of non-followers before sharing it with your followers.
The move comes after Instagram noticed that some creators get nervous about posting too much or trying something that’s different to what they normally post.
After 24 hours, you can see key metrics such as views, likes, comments, shares and even comparisons with previous trials. If it flopped, your followers will be none the wiser, but if it performed well, you can proudly hit “share with everyone”.
Story highlights are moving
Late last year, Instagram revealed plans to move Story highlights from above the profile grid into their own section within your profile tabs. While it’s an interesting change, we can’t help but wonder if it’s a good move for brands. With highlights becoming less visible when someone visits a profile, it could mean fewer people tapping through them.
So far, there’s been no further news on this update, but it’s definitely one to watch.
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