5 KEY INSTAGRAM UPDATES YOU SHOULD KNOW FOR 2025
“When you change one thing, you have the ability to change EVERYTHING.”
1. PROFILE GRIDS ARE ACTUALLY MOVING TO 4:5
This change has been in the works for a while, and it’s finally being rolled out to some accounts with plans to reach everyone soon. The good news is that even if your posts were originally 1:1, Instagram will now use a zoom feature to fit them into a 4:5 aspect ratio. While this isn’t perfect—especially for graphics with text—it’s a better solution than adding black bars to the top and bottom of your posts.
How to adapt: Update your specifications now! Going forward, every static post for Instagram should be sized to a 4:5 ratio, or 1080x1350px.
2. A TRIAL FEATURE IS ROLLING OUT FOR REELS
This new feature could be a game-changer. Instagram’s Trial Reels allows you to post Reels that won’t be visible to your followers. The purpose is to let you test new content and gauge its appeal before sharing it with your main audience.
However, this also presents an exciting opportunity to create organic “ads” that promote your profile to non-followers. Some creators have successfully repurposed their most popular regular Reels as Trial Reels, essentially reposting their top content without annoying their current followers. This is a fantastic way to grow your following without spending money on paid ads.
How to adapt: Start by sharing your most popular existing content as your first Trial Reels and see how your audience responds. If you notice growth, consider crafting a specific Trial Reels strategy targeting non-followers. Think of it as a video version of Facebook Page Like Ads, but entirely organic.
If you have geo-targeting concerns about your followers or don’t want to grow your account, use this feature as intended—a testing ground for your content. Experiment with different video lengths, types of content (faces vs. faceless), or production quality. Use the insights you gain to refine your content strategy moving forward
3. YOU CAN NOW ADD MUSIC TO YOUR PROFILE
Attention all millennials! Remember the good ol’ MySpace days? Music on your profile is making a comeback. Thankfully, the song you choose won’t autoplay, but users will have the option to hit play and enjoy the tune.
How to adapt: This is a fun one to experiment with! If your brand has a catchy jingle, now’s your chance to make it stand out. But don’t be afraid to get creative—use trending or seasonal music to keep your profile fresh and engaging. The best part? Your song stays up until you decide to change it, so set a reminder to update it regularly to keep things current!
4. USERS CAN NOW COMMENT ON STORIES
This feature began rolling out in 2024 and will be available to all users in 2025. You’ll have the option to customize your settings, allowing you to turn comments on for all followers or disable the feature entirely. By default, only users you follow back can comment on your Stories. As a brand, I recommend either fully enabling or completely disabling comments to maintain consistency.
Story comments are public and visible to anyone who can view your Story, even if it’s added to your Highlights.
How to adapt: If you decide to open up Story comments to all users, create engaging Story content that encourages interaction—think question CTAs or requests for feedback. Remember, Story comments are limited to 60 characters, so keep your prompts short and sweet to encourage quick, thoughtful responses.
5. HIGHLIGHT BUBBLES COULD BE MOVING TO THE GRID
When this change rolls out to everyone, your Story Highlights will no longer be visible directly under your bio. Instead, they’ll be accessible through a tab at the top of your profile. Instagram says this update is designed to push more content above the fold for easier viewing, though it has received some backlash online, so we’ll see if it sticks.
How to adapt: If your Story Highlights are crucial to your brand messaging, consider repurposing them into Carousels that you can pin to the top of your profile. While it’s not the same setup, it keeps that content visible.
Another option is to create a post specifically encouraging users to check out your Story Highlights. Pin this post just below the new Highlights tab, and use a text graphic with an arrow directing users where to click. This will help guide users to your Highlight content even if it’s buried behind the tab, ensuring they still engage with it.
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