Advertisment

Instagram's recent transition to rectangular grids draws both praise and criticism

author-image
Piyush Singh
New Update
instagram rectangle grid

We've already said goodbye to Instagram's iconic square grids, but users' reactions to the shift to a rectangular layout for posts are mixed.

Instagram has recently transitioned its profile grid layout from the traditional 1:1 square format to a 4:5 rectangular aspect ratio. This change reflects the platform's adaptation to the increasing prevalence of vertically oriented content, such as photos and videos, which better fit the new rectangular display. For years, the square grid has been a defining feature of the platform which also defined how users curate their feeds. But with the popularity of vertical content, this change feels almost inevitable. Now, posts will take up more space on the profile, reducing the need for awkward cropping and allowing images and videos to be displayed more fully.

Instagram's new grid feature offers more flexibility for content creators, especially when mixing photos and videos. For carousel posts, the image dimension is now 4:5 (1080 x 1350 px), while in grid view, the aspect ratio changes to 3:4 (1012 x 1350 px). Reels, which are becoming more central to the Instagram experience, are displayed in a 9:16 ratio (1080 x 1920 px), and in grid view, they appear as 1080 x 1440 px. Stories maintain the 9:16 aspect ratio (1080 x 1920 px), with a safe area dimension of 1080 x 1610 px to ensure no content gets cut off on different devices. 

Also Read: A dream beyond dreams!!" - Sonal Vasave and Makarand Narkar on creating the visual identity for Coldplay's Disney+ Hotstar stream

Of course, not everyone is thrilled about this change. Many users have built their aesthetic around the square format, and for them, this change feels like another step away from what Instagram originally stood for. Even Adam Mosseri, Instagram's head, acknowledged that while this update might disrupt some carefully curated grids, it's ultimately about evolving how people create and consume content. Mosseri acknowledged the inconvenience this shift may cause but emphasized that users will benefit from their content being showcased more fully. He stated, "I know some of you really like your squares. Square photos are part of the heritage of Instagram. But at this point, most of what's uploaded, both photos and videos, are vertical in their orientation." He emphasized how it's a bummer to overly crop them.

This update signals Instagram’s continued push toward prioritizing mobile-first content. While some may miss the classic square grid, the move aligns with the broader trends. The real question here now is—will users embrace this new format, or will they resist yet another major change to the platform?

A lot of people have expressed their opinion over the change. Some users have welcomed the new format, appreciating the ability to share their content more naturally without the constraints of the square grid. For those who create primarily vertical content, the rectangular layout makes sense but on the other hand, some users have voiced their nostalgia for the old square grid, feeling that it was a part of Instagram’s original charm and identity.

Here is how the users are reacting:

What are your thoughts on this new update? Tell us in the comments below!

For more such content, follow us @Socialketchup