What’s New on Instagram? The Biggest Changes in 2025!

Thumbnail Format Change.

If you’ve recently checked your Instagram grid, you may have noticed a shift in the thumbnail layout. Instagram has switched to a more rectangular (3:4) format, improving the display of photos and videos, especially on mobile devices. This change is aimed at enhancing the aesthetics of the feed and providing a better visual experience for content.

Source: social media today, creators

Longer Reels. More Opportunities for Creators.

Instagram has taken things further by extending the maximum length of Reels to 3 minutes. This is a great option if you want to share more content in a single video without having to split it into multiple parts. Longer Reels offer greater creative freedom and the opportunity to create more engaging videos. While Instagram initially suggested that longer videos might generate less engagement, creators now have the chance to experiment with lengthier content.

Source: social media today, creators

New Feature for Highlighted Stories.

Instagram has simplified profile design by moving Highlights to a dedicated section marked with a heart icon. Instead of circular icons above the post grid, Highlights will now appear as vertical thumbnails in a separate tab. This change aims to improve profile aesthetics and better showcase the most recent content. Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram, explained: “We want to simplify profiles and enable better display of content at the top of the screen.”

Source: social media today, creators

Edits. Creativity at a New Level!

Instagram is also rolling out the Edits app, which will help creators produce professional-looking videos more easily. The editing tools include options for recording longer videos, storing drafts, and a variety of tools like effects, automatic video enhancements, and the ability to add popular sounds. These features make the content creation process easier and more intuitive.

Source: social media today, creators

Manual Post Ordering.

Instagram now allows users to manually set the order of posts on their profile. This gives you more control over the appearance of your feed. The new feature lets you organize posts according to your preferences—no more rigid chronological order!

Message Scheduling.

Instagram has also introduced a message scheduling feature. This is especially useful for businesses, enabling them to schedule messages to be sent at a later time. It allows for better organization and planning, making it easier to maintain consistent communication with followers, even when you’re offline.

Test Content with Trial Reels.

With the Trial Reels feature, you can experiment with new ideas without the pressure of immediate audience reaction. Reels marked as “test” will be shown to random Instagram users, and based on their interactions, you can decide whether to post them on your profile. This feature is ideal for creators who want to experiment with new topics.

Commenting on Stories.

Instagram has introduced the option to comment on Stories. Now you can leave public comments on any story, allowing for more interaction with your followers. However, to comment, you must follow the user, and they must follow you back. Additionally, you need to enable Story replies in your settings.

Why Keep Up with These Changes?

The new features on Instagram open up entirely new opportunities for creators and businesses. Tools like Edits, longer Reels, and message scheduling make content creation and management easier and more efficient. With these innovations, Instagram is becoming an even more dynamic and creative platform that helps creators develop their social media strategies.

To make the most of these changes, it’s essential to incorporate them into your marketing strategy. This will make your presence on Instagram more engaging and ensure your content reaches a wider audience.

If you want to effectively use these updates and increase engagement on Instagram, get in touch with us! We’ll help you tailor your marketing strategy and achieve better results.

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