Goodbye Square Grid: Instagram Updates Its Grid Preview

Instagram has always been a visual platform. From its early days as a simple photo-sharing app to now featuring Reels, Stories, and more, Instagram has shaped how we interact online. Recently, Instagram rolled out a new grid preview, and not everyone is happy about it.

The square layout is gone, replaced by a taller preview, and people have mixed feelings about the change. For creators, brands, and businesses, this means rethinking how content is designed, planned, and shared.

What Exactly Changed?

Instagram’s traditional grid has long been a hallmark of the platform—a 1:1 square format that framed images and videos in a clean, symmetrical gallery. However, the new update shifts the grid to a 3:4 taller preview ratio. This change means that posts now appear larger, giving more prominence to vertical content like Reels and 4:5 ratio feed posts.

The Key Dimensions to Know:

• Old Grid Format: 1:1 ratio (1080 x 1080 px)
• New Grid Preview Format: 3:4 ratio (1015 x 1350 px)
• Current Feed Post Size: 4:5 ratio (1080 x 1350 px)
• Reels, Stories, and Lives: 9:16 ratio (1080 x 1920 px)

The grid preview now displays content in the 3:4 ratio, but Instagram doesn’t allow uploads in this format. Instead, posts still need to adhere to the 4:5 ratio, which means creators need to account for cropping when designing their visuals.

Reverting to the Old Grid Style

Instagram, at this early stage, offers a sort of “solution” for those who wish to revert to the older grid preview, but it can hardly be called a proper fix. To adjust the preview, click the three dots on each post located in the upper-right corner, then select Adjust Preview. From there, you can click Fit and choose either black or white as the background before clicking Done.

While this prevents your content from being cropped, it’s far from ideal. The added black or white padding above and below the post in the preview can disrupt the overall aesthetic. Moreover, for those who prefer this preview style, the adjustment must be made manually on each post, which is neither convenient nor user-friendly.

Why Did Instagram Make This Change?

In summer 2024, Instagram began testing a rectangular grid format with select users. Now, in 2025, the update is being widely implemented, though not everyone has access yet, gradually transforming profile layouts across the platform.

Over the past few years, vertical formats have become dominant on the platform, with Reels, Stories, and 4:5 feed posts accounting for the majority of shared content. This move is part of Instagram’s ongoing evolution to keep pace with trends and user preferences. With platforms like TikTok driving the popularity of short-form vertical videos, Instagram is doubling down on features that cater to this growing demand.

Reactions

As with any major platform update, Instagram’s new grid has received mixed reactions, most of them negative or disappointed. Some users have welcomed the change, appreciating the larger previews for being more inviting and visually appealing. However, others—particularly creators who curated their profiles in the old square format—are upset. For many, Instagram profiles serve as portfolios, and the grid plays a significant role in their branding and visual storytelling.

Artists, photographers, and designers who relied on the old layout to showcase their work in a carefully planned and interconnected way are particularly frustrated. The new grid disrupts this visual continuity, often leaving profiles looking disorganised and less polished.

For businesses and creators, Instagram—particularly the grid—has long been a key marketing tool. First impressions matter, and for brands, a clean, well-curated grid has been a way to communicate professionalism, aesthetic values, and brand identity. Now they have to rethink their approach and deal with grids that look messy or inconsistent because of the new layout.

How to Adapt Your Content Strategy

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by these changes, don’t worry—you’re not alone. At Netzoll, we see this as an opportunity to rethink your approach and embrace new possibilities. Here’s how you can adjust your strategy to adapt to the updated grid:

1. Focus on Vertical Content

Instagram’s shift is a clear signal that vertical content is king. Reels, 4:5 posts, and Stories are the platform’s bread and butter. Prioritise these formats when creating new content. While square posts are still visible to users without the update, the 4:5 ratio ensures your content looks great across all profiles.

2. Centre Key Elements

Although the new grid preview is taller, not everyone has access to the update yet. This means your content needs to work for both the square and taller formats. Keep important visuals, text, and branding elements centred in the 1:1 area to avoid cropping issues for users still seeing the square grid.

3. Leave Padding

When designing 4:5 posts, leave some extra space around the edges to account for cropping in the 3:4 grid preview. This not only creates a pleasing design but also ensures your content looks clean and professional, even when displayed differently across profiles.

Looking Ahead

The platform is evolving, and so must we. Change often brings more questions than answers, especially when it disrupts long-standing habits and strategies. How will this impact brand aesthetics? What does this mean for those still favouring the classic square grid? Is this the way it’s going to stay? These are valid concerns. While the questions may feel daunting now, with the right strategy, the answers will reveal themselves in time—and likely lead to new opportunities for growth and connection. We must embrace change, as nothing is certain nowadays except change itself.