Instagram grid swaps squares for rectangles, disrupting layouts
The Instagram (IG) grid underwent a huge makeover this weekend, turning its square thumbnails into rectangles.
Some IG users arranged their grids so that their content forms larger images, adding a touch of personality to their profiles. This changeup has disrupted their layout, ruining the collages they carefully curated.
Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri explained this change on his Instagram story. Still, many want their perfectly arranged pages back.
Instagram grid turns rectangular to simplify profiles
Mosseri said he wanted “a simpler, cleaner place that maintains, and even increases creator control.”
“We started with the tall grid because most photos and videos that are uploaded to Instagram at this point are vertical and rectangles do a better job showing off these photos and videos…” he added.
The Instagram chief admits that most users spend a lot of time adjusting their grids, so he will implement more creator control.
“We’re building a tool so you can re-order your entire grid and make it whatever you want,” he said.
Also, users will be able to post directly to their Instagram grids and skip the feed.
In response, many IG users were upset regarding this change, as their once-perfect Instagram grids turned into jumbled messes.
The rectangular grids will take effect over the next two months.
Other recent changes to Instagram
IG has been getting new, major changes since last year. In October 2024, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the company’s social media apps will link to the Meta AI chatbot.
Typing “@Meta AI” in the messaging bubbles or search boxes of Instagram, Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp will activate the AI.
It works like ChatGPT by answering your questions and generating images. Also, users can ask Meta AI to animate images.
On January 7, 2025, Zuckerberg also announced Instagram and other social networks will remove fact-checking. Instead, these platforms will have Community Notes, like Twitter (X).
People could add more details to specific posts, and then fellow users may vote on the ones they believe are the most credible.
he rectangular Instagram grids are just one major change to the social media platform.
Nevertheless, Mosseri hopes “sharing our intentions early will help avoid any more harsh surprises.”
