Instagram Rolls Out Vertical Profile Grid, Replacing Current Square Format

Instagram, the Meta-owned platform is rolling out vertical grids on profiles, replacing the traditional square format. This change has sparked varied reactions from users since its rollout began this week. Some feedback has been positive, while others have expressed dissatisfaction with the update.

Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, acknowledged in a post that he failed to provide sufficient notice about the changes. Additionally, he shared insights into Instagram's plans for evolving profiles in the coming months. The aim is to create a simpler and cleaner interface while enhancing creator control.

Instagram Vertical Grids Explained

The shift to vertical grids aligns with the current trend of uploading vertical photos and videos. Rectangular formats better showcase such content. However, Mosseri admitted that this change disrupted users who meticulously curated their grids. He assured improvements in thumbnail customization are underway.

Instagram is also considering integrating highlights into the grid as a separate tab. To maintain creator autonomy, they are developing a tool allowing users to reorder their entire grid according to their preferences.

Direct Posting and Future Enhancements

Instagram will soon enable direct posting to grids, allowing users to bypass the feed if desired. This feature aims to give creators more flexibility in managing their content presentation.

Mosseri emphasized Instagram's commitment to refining these features based on user feedback. The goal is to balance innovation with user satisfaction, ensuring creators retain control over their profiles.

Instagram Lets Users Upload 3 Minutes Reels

In addition to this profile grid, Instagram recently announced that it will allow users to upload reels up to three minutes long on the platform, which doubles the previous limit of 90 seconds. Moreover, the photo-sharing app will allow users to view all the Reels their friends have liked.