Yep, the grid we all spent way too much time curating? It’s officially had a makeover.
So, what's the deal? And more importantly, how do you make it work for your brand without losing your mind? Let’s break it down... What's changed?
Instagram's grid format now stretches feed images, showing taller 3:4 images. This means that square posts will look cropped, awkward and out of place.
Why did they change the Instagram Grid?
Instagram is leaning hard toward mobile-first scrolling. Tall content fills the screen, grabs attention, and keeps users hooked. This is great for engagement, but it can be a pain if your content strategy is stuck in 2024. What does this mean for your posts? Say goodbye to square.
The days of 1:1 are over. Tall posts (4:5 aspect ratio) are now the MVP. They take up more real estate and demand attention, which is exactly what you want. Your Grid? Still matters!
Here’s the thing
While the taller 4:5 (1080x1350) images dominate the feed, your grid preview now crops to 3:4 (1015x1350 pixels). Confusing? A little, but manageable. The key is to design your content in 4:5 (because that's what Instagram will allow you to post), but make sure it still looks great when cropped to 3:4 for your grid. Lazy design will stick out.
Here’s where you can’t cut corners
Your visuals need to be dynamic, clean, and centred - no awkward cropping, missing logos, or cut-off text. It’s all about designing for both the feed AND your grid.
How to nail it
Design for Dual Formats: Start with a 4:5 canvas, but check how it crops to 3:4 for the grid. Tools like Canva Resize make this easy!
Stay Centred
Keep key details - like text, faces, or logos - within the 3:4 preview area.
Keep It Bold
With more vertical space to play with, go big on imagery, vibrant colours, and sharp contrasts.
Test Before You Post
Preview your design in both the feed and your profile grid before hitting publish.
Why this update matters (and why it’s not the end of the world).
Yes, this update feels annoying, but the silver lining is that it’s a chance to stand out while everyone else scrambles to adapt.
Bigger posts = bigger visual impact.
And if you're already creating content that's bold, creative, and tailored to your audience, you’re ahead of the game.
Need Help Making It Work?
We get it - this isn’t just about resizing. It’s about creating content that grabs attention in the feed, looks stunning on the grid, and works across all formats. That’s where we come in.
At The Marketing Bungalow, we live for this stuff. So, if you're feeling stuck (or just over it), give us a shout. We’ll make sure your Instagram is feed-ready, grid-ready, and totally on point!
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