Instagram is currently testing a new display for a profile grid that features rectangular pictures. The company’s head, Adam Mosseri, announced the change recently in a story on Instagram. Until now, the Instagram grid is square. Its design was inherited from when it first started and could only upload square photos. With most of its uploads now being vertical—be it 4 x 3 images or 9 x 16 videos—the square is restrictive.
Currently, this video tab on Instagram is already in a rectangular grid. The new profile grid test mirrors this layout and now includes photo posts. A user posted an image of this test on Threads with a very similar design. The spokesperson from Instagram has confirmed that indeed the product is in a trial phase for a small number of users.
The app has been working on this new layout since at least 2022, according to Alessandro Paluzzi. The test is ongoing, but not all users are pleased with this change. Mosseri shared his story in response to user concerns about losing the classic grid layout.
First, Instagram will collect feedback from its testing group, and then, based on the outcomes, it might even consider a larger rollout. What this app wants to do is strike a balance between modern functionality and what users want. Needless to say, the feedback is going to be instrumental in deciding whether the grid will become permanent or not, and when.
The move forms part of an attempt by the platform to adapt to the changing needs and preferences of users. This new layout will certainly be interesting to see how it works through use cases as the testing phase unfolds.
