Instagram is testing a new design for the post grid on user profiles, moving away from the traditional square thumbnails to rectangular ones, similar to what’s already used in the Reels grid. This update, announced by Instagram head Adam Mosseri in a Story on Friday (16), is intended to keep up with modern content consumption trends, as most photos and videos are now captured in vertical format.
Although the idea has been in the works since 2022, it’s only now being tested with a small group of users. The shift has sparked conversations, especially among those who appreciate the classic square grid that has been a hallmark of Instagram since its inception in 2010.
The motivation behind this change is to better align with the way people create and view content today. Vertical videos and photos, popularized by Reels and Stories, often require cropping to fit the current square format, which can affect content quality and composition. The new rectangular grid aims to display images and videos in their entirety, enhancing both viewing experience and space utilization.
This redesign could significantly impact how users interact with the platform. For content creators and brands, it offers more flexibility and creative freedom in showcasing their posts. However, for those who have carefully curated their profiles based on the square grid, adapting to the new format might be challenging.
Instagram is listening closely to user feedback during this test phase and has stated that they will make adjustments as needed before rolling out the change more broadly.
