According to Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, users will be able to customise image thumbnails in order to maintain the aesthetics of their profiles with the introduction of many profile-related modifications on Instagram that may not be to users’ liking. The Meta-owned platform began testing vertical grids on profiles in August 2024 and is now making it available to all users. This will convert the present square grids into vertical grids and may affect curated profiles in which users use numerous grids to create a unique visual layout. The software will also allow users to customize the post thumbnails and reorder their grid. Instagram is also expanding Reels’ maximum runtime from 90 seconds to three minutes.
Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, revealed in a post that vertical grids for profiles will be available to all users this week, replacing the 1:1 aspect ratio with a 4:3. However, while noting that the update received “both positive and quite negative” responses, he also outlined many new profile-based features that will assist users in better adjusting to the shift.
“Most photos and videos that are uploaded to Instagram at this point are vertical, and rectangles do a better job showing off those photos and videos.” Mosseri also stated that the new layout will result in a “simpler, cleaner environment.”
Several users responded to the message, criticizing the move. Punktmidi, a platform creator, wrote, “You destroyed millions of well curated 1:1 grids.” Another user, @matilde.alcini, asked Mosseri to “just let people choose if they want squares or rectangles on the grid.”
In the post, Mosseri stated that future profiles will allow users to better adjust to the change while maintaining visually arranging the profile grids. Instagram is striving to improve users’ ability to customize post thumbnails, giving them more control over what appears in their profile view.
Instagram is also intending to move Story Highlights to the grid, giving it its own tab. Circular icons represent highlights between the bio and the grid. Mosseri described the current arrangement as “visually complicated” and suggested that they shift the grid down. Finally, the platform is working on a feature that will allow users to reorder their grid and post directly to it (these posts will not appear in the feed).
“This plan might change as we iterate over the next couple months, but I’m hoping sharing our intentions early will help avoid any more harsh surprises,” says Mosseri.
On the other hand, Instagram Reels Increased to Three Minutes as Mosseri revealed that users can now upload Reels lasting up to three minutes. Previously, the platform only permitted users to publish Reels that were up to 90 seconds long. This adjustment puts the Meta-owned app on line with other vertical video-focused platforms like TikTok and YouTube.
TikTok introduced three-minute films in July 2021, while YouTube expanded the length of Shorts in October 2024. Gadgets 360 could not confirm whether three-minute Reel uploads were available on Android or iOS at the time of publication.
And whether or not TikTok is banned in the United States, Instagram is undertaking a flurry of actions that appear to be aimed at positioning itself as the best alternative for consumers.
Instagram has officially announced that users may now create 3-minute Reels on the app, giving them more time for their short-form masterpieces.
“You may now upload Reels to Instagram that are up to three minutes long. Historically, it has only been 90 seconds, and this is because we wanted to focus Instagram on short-form video rather than long-form. But we’ve heard from a lot of you creators that 90 seconds is simply too short, so we’re hopeful that increasing the limit to three minutes will allow you to tell the stories that you truly want to tell.”
But then, Instagram advised us earlier a few months ago that videos longer than 90 seconds were bad for content performance? Yes, it did.
In fact, Instagram has consistently informed artists that sharing longer Reels is a terrible idea, including the following recommendation published earlier this month:
So, while you can upload lengthier Reels if you want, Instagram’s frequent advice suggests you shouldn’t.
So it’s hardly a novel notion, but it might help Reels better match with TikTok, which allows users to publish lengthier videos in-stream. YouTube likewise officially expanded the length of Shorts to three minutes earlier this month, following introducing it last year, and in this regard, Instagram is only looking to keep up with the competition and provide more creative opportunities for its users.
However this will not be advised and it all boils down to the content and your audience, and longer videos may present more opportunities than Instagram has ever seen.
However, Instagram’s current suggestion is not to publish Reels longer than 90 seconds. But now you can. If you wish.
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