From squares to rectangles: Here’s what Instagram has to say on its new design change

Instagram

If you are an Instagram user, then you would’ve noticed a rather big design change. The profile grids on Instagram are now displaying content as rectangles. Earlier, the content was in a square-shaped layout but it’s now different. Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri has explained the company’s reason behind the move. In a post on Instagram, Mosseri said,“I know some of you really like your squares, and square photos are kind of the heritage of Instagram, but at this point most of what’s uploaded — both photos and videos — are vertical in their orientation, so portrait versus landscape or square, and it just is a bummer to overly crop them.”

He said that it is a change and “I know it’s a bit of a pain, but I think it’s a transitional pain.” He further added, “I think people will, over the long run, be excited that more of their photos and more of their videos are actually visible as intended in the profile as opposed to aggressively cropped.” Users on social media platform X have expressed their annoyance at the design change.

If TikTok does get banned, there could be a significant migration of TikTok enthusiasts seeking an alternative for short-form video content. To capitalise on this opportunity, Instagram has announced two major updates to Reels, aimed at improving user engagement and fostering community interaction. Initially rolling out in the US, these features will be expanded to other regions in the near future, according to Instagram.

Mosseri posted a video message detailing the two features. The first update introduces a new way to discover content through social connections. Users will now see what their friends and followers are engaging with directly within the Reels tab. A dedicated section at the top right corner will display the reels their connections have liked or commented on, making it easier to explore trending content and join the conversation.

The second feature focuses on simplifying communication. A new reply bar will appear alongside reels, allowing users to start conversations about the videos they enjoy. This feature gives content creators more visibility, as their reels can now reach beyond their follower base.