Instagram has rolled out a new grid format, and if you’ve been feeling a little confused about it, you’re not alone! I’ve been getting lots of DMs from followers asking how to adjust their content to fit this new, taller grid format. If you’ve spent time curating the perfect look for your feed, this change might feel frustrating. But don't worry—I’m here to help you navigate it!
Why Did Instagram Change the Grid?
So, why the shift from the classic square grid to a taller layout? According to Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, the new format was introduced because most photos and videos on Instagram are vertical, and a rectangular format better showcases these visuals. Sounds logical, right? But for many of us, it means rethinking how we design and present our content.
I know that many of us have spent time and effort perfecting our grid layout, so this update might feel like a wrench in the works. But with a little tweak, you can adjust your content to make it fit seamlessly with the new design.
How to Design Content for the New Grid
If you're using Canva, here's how you can adjust your designs for the new grid format:
Portrait Format (4:5 ratio - 1080x1350px): If you’ve been designing posts in portrait mode, they’ll still look fine, but there’s one small thing to keep in mind: the new grid view crops your cover image into a 3:4 ratio, which is slightly narrower than the portrait format. This means the sides of your cover image might be cropped slightly (but it's almost unnoticeable). But don't create in 3:4 ratio because you can’t post 3:4 ratio on Instagram. The tallest content you can post on the feed is a 4:5 ratio, so make sure you have some padding on the sides because your 4:5 content will be cropped a tiny bit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few FAQs to clear up any confusion about the grid update:
Q: If I’m already creating posts in the 4:5 ratio, will they display correctly on the new grid?
A: The new grid format will crop your cover image to a 3:4 ratio, so the sides will be slightly trimmed. If you're already using a 4:5 ratio, the crop is minimal, and the change is almost unnoticeable.
Q: Can I update the cover images on my older posts to fit the new grid?
A: Unfortunately, you can’t update cover images for older posts at the moment. However, Instagram is rolling out some exciting updates soon, including the ability to customize preview images for posts, so stay tuned!
A Quick Reminder
Don’t stress if your older posts aren’t perfectly aligned with the new grid format. Everyone else is going through the same thing, and Instagram is always evolving. What’s more important than having a perfectly symmetrical grid is creating meaningful content that resonates with your audience.
So, don’t worry about the "perfect" look of your feed. Instead, focus on producing high-quality content and engaging with your community. After all, that’s what truly helps grow your brand and keep your followers coming back!
XO Amanda
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