Mosseri defends Instagram’s vertical feed and announces more updates

Instagram has updated the layout of profile feeds, now showing posts in a grid with rectangular and vertical thumbnails rather than square ones. This change reflects the increasing popularity of vertical content on the platform, largely driven by Reels and Stories.

While this update has caught many users off guard, it’s worth noting that Instagram started testing the vertical feed back in August 2023 with a select group of accounts. At that time, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri explained that the goal was to better showcase creators’ content and align with the dominant vertical format trend.

Now that this layout is broadly implemented, opinions are mixed, with some users in favor of the change while others are opposed. Indeed, the visual appeal of an Instagram profile is something users hold in high regard.

More changes coming to Instagram’s feed

The CEO of Instagram has quickly addressed the community through his social media to discuss plans for evolving feeds in the coming months.

“We introduced the vertical grid because most photos and videos uploaded to Instagram today are vertical, and this format showcases them more effectively. However, I recognize that many of you invest significant time organizing your grids, and this change has impacted your work. Therefore, we plan to enhance thumbnail customization,” Mosseri explained.

Instagram is also considering the possibility of shifting Highlights to the profile grid and displaying them within a new tab. “Highlights are a great way to feature your favorite stories, but visually, they complicate the design and push the grid down.”

Furthermore, Mosseri mentioned that they are working on offering the option to modify the format of the profile feed grid. “To maintain creators’ control, we are developing a tool that will allow you to rearrange the entire grid and customize it as you like.”

Additionally, Mosseri announced that soon there will be an option to post directly to the grid, allowing users to bypass the feed entirely.

While we will have to wait to see all these features come to fruition, it’s clear that Instagram is moving rapidly toward the era of vertical content. This marks a new phase where the platform aims to “create a simpler and cleaner space that maintains, or even enhances, creators’ control.”