Instagram Grid Update Frustrates Users and Brands

Instagram has redesigned the classic square grid that has characterized the aesthetic appeal of the platform. The update has left users scrambling to adjust as it now displays a vertical profile layout.

The update began rolling out broadly in January 2025. It brings the profile grid's rectangular aspect ratio, which isn't a completely new concept because Instagram has been dropping hints since 2022 with tests beginning in 2024.

According to Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s Head, the move reflects the platform’s evolution. “Squares are from way back in the day when you could only upload square photos,” Mosseri explained. “The vast majority of what is uploaded to Instagram today is vertical. Cropping it down to square is pretty brutal. This update is about adapting to how content is created now.”

This is in line with Instagram's video and short-form vertical content, which is a significant feature on the platform.

On Sunday, Instagram also announced a new video editing app called "Edits" amid service disruptions for TikTok in the US. In a video announcement, Instagram head Adam Mosseri explained that the app will offer advanced creative tools for video creators, built to be used across platforms.

For those who have painstakingly curated their profile to look seamless, the update has been a hard pill to swallow. Social media sites like X (formerly Twitter) are flooded with complaints: "Why is Instagram trying so hard to be TikTok? These new grids ruin the layout!"

While some users welcome the change as a necessary evolution to accommodate modern content trends, other users feel that it is yet another example of platforms ignoring user preferences.

How to Adapt Instagram's Vertical Grid

You can click on three dots above on the post and choose adjust options to bring back the placement. For those struggling with the update, here are a few tips to adjust and reclaim your feed's aesthetic:

• Update Your Content Strategy Begin producing vertical content in 4:3 or 9:16 ratios. This way, your posts will be perfectly viewed within the new grid.  

• Leverage Collage Tools Play around with tools like Canva or Adobe Express to produce rectangular collages fitting the new grid. This may restore the sense of coherence.

• Apps like Planoly or Preview can help you design your profile layout before posting. Adjusting your aesthetic for the new format can maintain a polished look.

However, these changes can alienate users. Snapchat’s 2018 redesign is a cautionary tale: backlash cost the platform millions of users and dented its reputation.

The question is whether Instagram’s new vertical grid will stick or face rollback under pressure.