Instagram is testing new profile layout: What’s new and why it may not be good for users

Instagram

Instagram has started beta testing a new layout that could change the way users' profiles are displayed on the platform. The updated profile layout is expected to change the square layout of the profile to a vertical layout. The updated design change for the profile is currently in the experimental phase and is rolling out only to select users.

Instagram is getting a new profile layout

As a part of the updated profile page design update, the company is planning to add a vertical grid format instead of square photo grids. What this means is Instagram will remove the existing square layout profile page view in favour of vertical grid, which also happens to be the modern way of consuming content.

Instagram head Adam Mosseri acknowledged the shift in content format, noting that most posts on Instagram today are vertical. He explained that most photos and videos uploaded are either in a 4:3 or 9:16 aspect ratio, making the square crop outdated. The original square format was a remnant from when Instagram only supported square images,

Why it may not be good news for users

Instagram users usually put a lot of effort into organising their profile to make it look more polished using the square profile layout. Changing the aspect ratio to vertical will disrupt the layout design for the profile view and the overall visual balance.

However, this change will be more welcomed by users who create reels, and stories on the platform. The change will enable them to showcase their content without requiring it to crop it on the platform.