Okay, let’s talk about Instagram new look because, honestly, it is giving mixed vibes. If you haven’t spotted it yet, your profile grid is looking a little… taller. That’s right, the classic square posts are officially a thing of the past (RIP, perfectly curated grids), and the bio section has gotten a fresh upgrade too. Here’s the lowdown on what’s new, what it means for users, and why opinions are all over the place.
What’s New With Instagram’s Layout
Taller Grid Layout
Instagram new look has moved away from the traditional 1:1 square grid and embraced a more vertical 4:5 ratio. This means your photos and videos now take up more screen space, similar to the format of Reels. It’s a big shift from the old square aesthetic, but it aligns with how people are consuming content these days—on vertical screens.
Bio Section Makeover
The bio section has also gotten a makeover, and it’s not half bad. Your name now appears above your POSTS, FOLLOWERS, and FOLLOWING counts, positioned to the right of your profile picture. It’s a cleaner, more modern look that gives your profile a bit more personality.
Instagram’s New Look: What Boss Says
Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s head, shared the reasoning behind the changes:
“We wanted to prioritize storytelling and creativity while making profiles more functional for users and creators alike. The taller grid aligns with the way people consume content today—on vertical screens—and the revamped bio section allows for deeper personalization and utility.”
Remembering Instagram’s Square Grid
Let’s take a second to honor the iconic square grid. Remember the hours spent meticulously arranging photos, picking filters, and crafting that perfect aesthetic? Well, those days are over. The new taller layout has left older posts looking a bit awkward, and the transition hasn’t been seamless.
Many users are sharing screenshots of their updated feeds, and let’s just say—it’s a mixed bag. While the taller format works well for new posts, older content can look stretched or oddly cropped. Many Gen Z users think that a little heads-up from Instagram would’ve been appreciated, don’t you think?
Likes:
1. More Visual Impact: Taller posts are eye-catching, which is great for creators who want to make a bold statement.
2. Trendy and Modern: Vertical content is everywhere (hello, TikTok and YouTube Shorts), so it makes sense for Instagram to keep up.
3. Better Bio Customization: The updated bio section lets you showcase your personality and projects more effectively.
4. Potential Engagement Boost: The immersive format could encourage more interaction with posts.
Dislikes:
1. Goodbye, Aesthetic Grids: All that effort to create a cohesive grid? Gone.
2. Older Posts Look Off: The taller format doesn’t play nicely with older square posts, leading to awkward crops.
3. Unnecessary Changes: Some users feel these updates didn’t address real pain points.
What’s Next?
According to Mosseri, Instagram new look is all about embracing change and adapting. The platform is already gathering feedback (and bracing for some backlash), so we might see some tweaks in the future. Here’s what could be coming:
- Adjustable Grid Ratios: A feature called “Adjust Preview” is already live, letting you tweak how individual posts appear on your grid.
- More Bio Customization: Expect additional options to personalize your bio even further.
- Profile Music: Instagram might let you add music to your profile for a more dynamic touch.
- Trail Reels: This feature allows you to post Reels that won’t show up for your followers, giving you a chance to experiment with content before sharing it widely.
- Tutorials: Instagram may roll out guides to help users navigate and make the most of these changes.
Instagram’s new look is undeniably a big shift. The taller grid and updated bio section bring a fresh, modern feel to the platform, but they’ve also disrupted the way many of us use it. For creators, it’s an opportunity to elevate their content game. For everyday users? It’s going to take some getting used to.
One thing’s clear: Instagram isn’t slowing down. Whether you love it or hate it, change is here to stay—so it might be time to adapt and make the most of it.
What do you think of the new look? Let us know in the comments!
