What to know
- Instagram is officially testing vertical profile grids, replacing the traditional square layouts.
- According to Adam Mosseri, the change aims to better showcase today’s predominantly vertical content.
- Some users worry this may disrupt carefully curated profile aesthetics.
Instagram is turning the tables on its iconic square grid layout. The social media giant is currently experimenting with a bold new look for user profiles – vertical rectangles instead of squares.
This potential facelift comes as Instagram adapts to changing user habits. According to Adam Mosseri, the platform’s head honcho, the vast majority of content uploaded these days is vertical. Whether it’s 4:3 photos or 9:16 videos, most posts are taller than they are wide.
The current square format, Mosseri admits, is a relic of Instagram’s early days when only square photos were allowed. That restriction was lifted back in 2015, but the profile grid has remained stubbornly square – until now.
While this change might freshen up the app’s look, not everyone’s jumping for joy. Many users have spent countless hours perfecting their profile grids, carefully arranging square posts to create eye-catching patterns or tell visual stories. The shift to vertical rectangles could throw a wrench in these meticulously crafted layouts.
Can Instagram stop making the grid vertical?
Not everything has to be in the stupid reel format OMG… It's cutting off my compositions…..
I hate Instagram SOOOO much pic.twitter.com/9bnDQ44bf3
— Kim ? (@staarlxght) August 6, 2024
Instagram isn’t turning a blind eye to these concerns. Mosseri acknowledged that the change might ruffle some feathers, stating, “I know this might be frustrating for those of you who have invested time in curating your profiles.”
However, the platform seems determined to move forward, focusing on better showcasing today’s content rather than clinging to outdated formats. As Mosseri put it, “I really want to improve how we present content today.”
Currently, this vertical grid makeover is in the testing phase, with only a select group of users seeing the change. Instagram plans to gather feedback before deciding whether to roll out the feature more widely.
For now, most users can breathe easy – their carefully curated grids are safe. But the writing may be on the wall (or should we say, on the grid?). Instagram users might want to start thinking vertically when it comes to their profile aesthetics.
As social media continues to evolve at breakneck speed, this potential grid shake-up serves as a reminder: in the digital world, change is the only constant. Users and brands alike may need to adapt their strategies to stay ahead of the curve and keep their profiles picture-perfect.
