Instagram is testing a new redesign that would deal a final blow to the last memories of the exclusively photo-based social app that it was in its early days. In fact, it is testing on a limited basis a different format for the grid of content uploaded to each person’s profile, in which The iconic squares give way to vertically oriented rectangles. A move that is consistent with all the recent innovations introduced, increasingly oriented towards promoting videos rather than photos, and with its eyes always on its rival TikTok.
The test was confirmed by Instagram’s number one, Adam Mosseri, with a story on his own profile, in which he explains how the original square grid has become obsolete for current trends and new user habits. Until 2015, Instagram only allowed uploading photos in 1:1 square format, later it also opened up to video recordings, allowing the vertical rectangular format for 4:3 images and 16:9 widescreen for videos. According to Mosseri, the forced 1:1 crop would be “brutal” compared to the images captured by the users. smartphonesand the vast majority of users have already abandoned uploading square photos. For about two years now It is spoken of possibility of the grid changing to vertical rectangles, adjusting to the Reel page and, inevitably, also to the design of the TikTok profile and YouTube Shorts.
The consequences of vertical design
The change to the vertical rectangular grid could create some problems for content already uploaded where only the square format was allowed. In fact, many users had organized their profiles with images specifically designed to be displayed 1:1 or had uploaded photos in sequence to form collages that could be displayed on the feed staff, which would be less effective with the new layout. It is not yet clear if and when the change will be made to the vertical format, but it is more than likely that the change will be introduced in the coming months.
Article originally published in WIRED Italia. Adapted by Mauricio Serfatty Godoy.
