Instagram has been rolling out some major updates, and if you’re a creator or a business, these changes are going to impact the way you post, engage, and grow on the platform. Here’s everything you need to know about Instagram’s latest features and how to make the most of them.
1. The New Instagram Profile Grid
Instagram is transitioning from the 1×1 square feed to a rectangular format. This means that when you scroll, posts will appear in a 4×5 rectangle instead of a square. The shift is meant to optimize vertical content since most uploaded photos and videos are vertical rather than square or landscape.
According to Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s CEO:
“We’re rolling out a rectangular grid over the weekend. I know some of you love your squares, but at this point, most uploaded content is vertical. It just doesn’t make sense to overly crop them anymore.”
Apparently, Instagram started with the palm grid because most photos and videos uploaded are vertical. The profile grid has shifted from the square (1×1) format to a rectangular (3×4) layout to accommodate vertical content better. This means less cropping and a more user-friendly design for creators.
Many users initially thought the new Instagram grid was 4×5, but that’s not the case. After testing it, the actual ratio is 3×4, meaning your posts will be slightly cropped on the sides. Here’s how to fix it:
- Open Adobe Illustrator and set up a 1080×1440 canvas (3×4 ratio).
- Create a margin by adding a 100-pixel border and using Command-7 to convert it into a guide.
- Rearrange your artboards with 0-pixel spacing to keep carousels seamless.
- Export your artwork as a JPEG to maintain colors.
2. The Movement of Highlights
Instagram is focusing on a simpler, cleaner look while maintaining and even increasing creator control. One major shift includes the movement of highlights—they will no longer appear as bubbles but instead will be moved into the profile grid as a tab.
This means no more story highlight bubbles! Instead, you’ll find them in a dedicated tab, making profiles look more streamlined and organized.
3. Reels Now Up to 3 Minutes Long
One of the most exciting updates is longer reels! Instagram has also increased the time to 3 minutes, where before it was only 90 seconds. It’s a complete game-changer for content creators who want to share more in-depth videos.
Next time you create a Reel, you’ll see this notification:
“Create longer Reels! You can now use up to three minutes of clips in your Reels.”
This means more storytelling, more engagement, and more opportunities to connect with your audience. Do you like this change? Let me know in the comments!
4. Best Practices Feature for Creators
If you’ve ever felt frustrated with your content not performing well, Instagram has a new Best Practices feature in the Professional Dashboard to help you improve. A lot of creators unknowingly violate guidelines, causing their content to have reduced visibility. This feature helps prevent that!
What This Feature Does:
- Identifies what your content is doing well
- Highlights areas for improvement to increase reach, engagement, clicks, and even monetization
- Reveals Instagram’s algorithm secrets, including what to do and what to avoid
- Ensures you’re not breaching Instagram’s guidelines, which can lead to shadow banning
5. The Inspiration Tab
Beneath Best Practices, there’s a tab called Inspiration, which shows the best-performing content in the industry.
This tool helps creators see which types of posts are getting the most shares, saves, clicks, and engagement. It’s essentially Instagram telling you what kind of content you should be making to stay ahead.
6. New Profile Layout & Algorithm Boost for Small Creators
Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s CEO, announced that they’re rolling out a rectangular grid on profiles because vertical photos and videos dominate uploads. This change means:
- Better display of vertical content
- Less cropping and more control
- A cleaner, more modern profile look
Additionally, smaller creators are getting a boost in the algorithm, increasing their chances of being featured. So, if you’re a new creator, now is the time to stay consistent!
7. Additional Instagram Features
Instagram has also introduced several smaller but significant updates:
- Views on regular photo posts in the main feed.
- Screenshot notifications for DMs (but not for stories).
- Multiple audio tracks in a single Reel.
- New fonts for more creative options.
- Live location sharing via DM.
- Commenting on Instagram stories (which others can see).
- DM editing—similar to iMessage, you can now edit your messages after sending them.
- Pinned chats to keep important conversations at the top.
- Promo codes for Instagram shopping.
8. New Analytics Features to Help You Grow
Instagram has added Views Over Time in Reels analytics, allowing you to see:
- How many views your post is getting over time.
- A breakdown of views between followers and non-followers.
They also introduced View Rate, which tells you what percentage of viewers stay after the first three seconds. If you want higher engagement, make sure your first three seconds are captivating.
Additionally, Average View Duration helps you see where people drop off, so you can improve retention for future posts.
Final Thoughts
These updates are a game-changer for creators and businesses. Whether you’re optimizing your grid, experimenting with longer reels, or using new analytics tools, Instagram is making it easier to grow and engage with your audience.
What do you think about these changes? Let me know in the comments! Follow for more Instagram updates
Instagram now uses a 4:5 rectangular aspect ratio for posts, replacing the classic square layout on user profiles.
Instagram automatically adjusts your posts to the 4:5 ratio grid. You don’t need to make changes manually; your posts are updated with the new format.
By analyzing performance metrics like engagement rates and views, you can optimize your content, making it more effective and tailored to your audience.
Instagram’s “Best Practices” feature offers personalized recommendations to improve your content’s reach, engagement, and visibility based on current performance analytics.
