Like all social media platforms, Instagram constantly makes updates to improve its site for both content creators and users. In early 2024, Instagram changed its grid format from the traditional square to a more vertical layout. The new change from a 1:1 ratio to a 4:5 ratio means the way images get displayed on your profile has changed.
The move accommodates more vertical content, which is more compatible with mobile, the way most users access Instagram. This adjustment also acknowledges the powerful role that reels and videos play on the platform. Incorporating reels regularly into your content is a must for any social media marketing strategy.
The change affects posts, carousels and reels, so it’s important to know what new sizes to use and how to modify your content for the new dimensions. We’ve listed the new sizes for each type of post here with both the aspect ratio and the pixel count. The aspect ratio refers to the shape of your post (square, rectangle) and the pixel size has to do with the resolution/quality of the image.
Carousel posts:
- Image size: 1080 x 1350 px (4:5)
- Grid view: 1012 x 1350 px (3:4)
Reels:
- Image size: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)
- Grid view: 1080 x 1440 px (3:4)
Stories:
- Image size: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)
- Safe area: 1080 x 1610 px
You may need to adjust your designs to fit the new vertical format. Instagram is a place where visuals are highly important, so getting the right ratio for your content will make sure it displays the way you intend it to. At Trillion, we have seen our clients increase their followers with the strategic and compelling use of visual content.
Quick Takeaways From the New Instagram Sizes
- Portrait-style images will take up more space in the feed, giving your brand increased visibility.
- The new format gives creators more room for content, increasing story-telling capability.
- For carousel posts, all subsequent photos will be cropped based on the dimensions of the first one, so be sure to choose photos of the same dimension.
Adapt Content Strategies for New Instagram Sizes
As you plan and create visuals, keep the vertical orientation in mind, and rework any of your existing templates for that orientation as well. When shooting or creating new content, keep your most important visual or text centered with plenty of room around the edges, to prevent important details from getting cropped out. This may mean zooming out a little more when shooting, or reworking designs to accommodate the extra space around the outside of your visuals.
If you need to resize old posts, Canva or Photoshop can make the job easier. Keeping up with all the changes digital platforms roll out is a constant learning process, but the positive side of that learning means there’s always a chance to revisit and refresh content strategy.
Additional Instagram Updates That Can Optimize Your Content
- Edits: Edits is a new free video creation app that helps creators make videos from their phones. It has powerful editing capabilities and creative tools.
- Reels: You can now create reels up to three minutes long, up from the previous limit of 90 seconds. To help you increase your reach, they will be recommended to non-followers in the Reels tab and Explore.
- Trial Reels: Try out content and see what performs best. Trial Reels gives you the option to share reels with people who don’t follow you. This can be a great way to experiment with new messaging or brand amplification.
- IG Insights: Instagram has made updates to the insights it gives creators. View Rate will show you the percentage of viewers who watch your reel for more than three seconds. Views Over Time breaks down views into followers and non-followers, and will also compare how many views your post has received compared to other posts over the same time period.
- Photos and carousels with music are now eligible to appear in the reels tab, which can give you more exposure to new viewers.
Staying current with the many updates on Instagram will help keep your content fresh and more likely to engage and attract new followers.
Get Trillion’s Social Media Strategies
Social media is a critical—but often overwhelming—marketing tool. The technical demands of the various platforms are always changing, and content needs to be both new and exciting and consistently on-brand. If your social media channels aren’t performing for you as well as you’d like, we’d love to help! Give us a call at 908 219 4703 or reach out here for help with Instagram sizes or any other social media questions.
