Instagram users in uproar over new rectangular layout for 'Posts' tab

Update 20/08/24: Instagram chief Adam Mosseri has now confirmed that the company is indeed testing a new layout that aligns with the vast majority of content uploaded to Instagram today.

We’re actually testing a vertical grid, for those of you who haven’t seen it yet, for your profile, instead of squares. Now, squares are from way back in the day when you could only upload square photos to Instagram. And I know this can be annoying for some of you who really spend a lot of time curating and making sure everything lines up, but I would really like to do better by the content [creators of] today. And the vast majority of what is uploaded to Instagram today is vertical; it’s either 4:3 in a photo or 9:16 in a video, and cropping it down to a square is pretty brutal, so I’m hoping we can figure out a way to manage this transition.

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Original article follows:

Instagram is at it again with another unexpected tweak, and this time it’s the profile layout that’s causing a stir. According to reports doing rounds, it seems Instagram is experimenting with a new layout for the “Posts” tab that ditches the iconic square format in favor of a rectangular grid, similar to portraits in the Reels tab.

Traditionally, Instagram’s “Posts” tab has displayed content in a neat, square grid, making it easy for users to showcase their photos and videos in a uniform manner. However, a growing number of users are now seeing their profiles switch to a rectangular grid, similar to the layout used for Reels. This shift is stirring the pot, with users on both Android and iOS reporting the change — though not everyone is affected. My colleagues and I still have the old square grid on both Android and iOS, suggesting the rollout of the portrait grid, if it’s actually happening, is gradual.

The reaction from Instagram’s community has been swift and vocal. Some users are wondering if the new layout is a glitch or an intentional update. Android and iPhone users alike have chimed in, some still seeing squares on some of their accounts while others have transitioned to rectangles. The inconsistency only adds to the frustration.

Artists and content creators, in particular, are feeling the pinch. Many who had carefully curated their profiles with square-format content found their work awkwardly cropped and misaligned in the new rectangular layout.

Given the haphazard rollout, it’s plausible that Instagram is conducting A/B testing to gauge user reactions. This method allows them to compare the engagement and satisfaction levels between different groups of users. However, if the feedback is any indication, the rectangular grid is not winning any popularity contests.

Let’s face it, change can be hard, especially when it disrupts the aesthetic harmony of a carefully curated Instagram profile. While it’s understandable that Instagram wants to innovate and keep the platform fresh, rolling out such a significant change without clear communication can leave users feeling blindsided.

If you’re one of the users stuck in this rectangular nightmare, take heart. Changes like these often come with a wave of backlash that can prompt a re-evaluation from the powers that be. For now, let’s hope that Instagram listens to its community and either provides an option to revert to the classic square grid or, at the very least, offers more clarity on the reasons behind the change.

In the meantime, it might be a good idea to keep an eye on those app updates and maybe, just maybe, back up those precious square posts.

In other news, Instagram users are reporting that the UI when sharing reels now shows random people. Others have also been dealing with an issue where they can’t pause or mute their reels. Hopefully, all issues, including the new layout, get addressed soon.