Instagram’s Vertical Profile Grid Test: What It Means For Your Carefully Curated Feed

Social Media Influencers Be Warned

Instagram is experimenting with a new layout for user profiles that could have a significant impact on how your feed looks: the app is testing vertical profile grids instead of the traditional square format. This change could alter the aesthetic of countless Instagram profiles, particularly those that have been meticulously planned around the square grid format.

According to Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, the move towards a vertical grid format is driven by the fact that most content uploaded to the platform today is vertical, whether it’s photos in a 4:3 aspect ratio or videos in the popular 9:16 format. This has made the process of cropping content to fit into a square format cumbersome for users, leading the platform to explore alternatives that better reflect the way users are currently engaging with the app.

The Shift from Squares to Rectangles

Since its inception, Instagram has been synonymous with square photos. However, the platform moved beyond this limitation in 2015, allowing users to upload photos in different aspect ratios. Despite this, the square grid format on profile pages has persisted—until now.

Mosseri highlighted in an Instagram story that the square format is a relic of a bygone era, stating, “squares are from way back in the day when you can only upload square photos to Instagram.” With most uploads now being vertical, the move to a vertical grid makes sense from a content consumption standpoint.

However, Mosseri also acknowledged the potential downsides of this change. Many Instagram users have spent considerable time curating their profiles, ensuring that every image aligns perfectly within the grid. The introduction of a vertical grid could disrupt these carefully planned layouts, requiring users to adapt to the new format.

Limited Test with Community Feedback

For now, Instagram is keeping this vertical grid test limited to a small group of users. The company is keen on gathering feedback before making any decisions about a wider rollout. Instagram spokesperson Christine Pai emphasized that this is a “limited test,” and the platform will be “listening to feedback from the community before rolling anything out further.”

This cautious approach suggests that Instagram is aware of the potential backlash from users who might be unhappy with the disruption to their profile aesthetics. The platform’s openness to feedback indicates that they may refine or even rethink the change based on user input.

Preparing for the Change

If you’re one of the many users who has painstakingly organized your profile grid, now might be the time to consider how a vertical layout could affect your feed. While it’s unclear when or if Instagram will fully implement this change, it’s wise to be prepared.

The potential shift to vertical rectangles could mean rethinking your approach to content creation and curation on the platform. For brands, influencers, and anyone else who uses Instagram as a visual portfolio, this change could necessitate adjustments to maintain a cohesive and visually appealing profile.

In conclusion, while the vertical grid test is still in its early stages, it signals Instagram’s ongoing evolution to better suit the content trends of today. Whether this will be a welcome change or an unwelcome disruption remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Instagram is committed to adapting its platform to meet the needs of its users.

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Source: The Verge

Photo Credit: AI