Instagram’s New Profile Grid Test: What You Need to Know

In case you missed it, Instagram is experimenting with a fresh profile grid layout that could change the way your photos appear on your profile. Instead of the classic squares, your photos might soon display in a 4:5 aspect ratio, showing up as rectangles.

Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram, recently shared in an IG Story, "The vast majority of what is uploaded to Instagram today is vertical... and cropping it down to square is pretty brutal." If you’ve spent hours perfecting your grid aesthetic, this might be a big shift for you. Think of it like your TikTok profile, where your videos remain in their full rectangular glory. On Instagram, that neat grid of squares might be on its way out.

This update is still in the testing phase, available to a limited number of users, but it’s expected to roll out more widely soon. As Instagram spokesperson Christine Pai told The Verge, "This is a limited test, and we’ll be listening to feedback from the community before rolling anything out further."

What About My Carefully Curated Grid?

If you’ve meticulously crafted your Instagram feed for that perfect, seamless flow, this could mean all your square posts will be resized to fit the new rectangular format. Mosseri acknowledged in his IG Story, "I know this can be annoying for some of you who really spent a lot of time curating and making sure everything lines up, but I would really like to do better by the content today."

How to Adapt

If this new layout becomes standard, you’ll want to start preparing your future posts accordingly. For the best results, size your photos and carousels to 1080 x 1350 pixels – the ideal size for portrait posts on Instagram.

While change can be a bit unsettling, adapting your content for the new format will ensure your feed still stands out. Stay ahead of the curve, and your grid will look fresh in no time!

Need help? Contact Façon Creative today!