If you have been on Instagram long enough, you know one thing for sure. Change is constant. Just when you think you have cracked the code, a new update shakes things up. And this time, it is the Instagram grid.
For brands, influencers, and marketers, the grid is not just a layout. It is the first impression, the digital storefront, the canvas that defines visual identity. So when Instagram decided to adjust its aspect ratio, it sent ripples through the branding world.
As a branding agency in Surat, we at Infiniqe Marketing have spent years helping businesses craft visually striking Instagram feeds. But with these grid changes, brands need to rethink, re-strategize, and adapt. Let’s break down why Instagram made this change, what it means for your brand aesthetics, and most importantly, how you can adjust your strategy using our best Instagram Grid Tips.
Why Did Instagram Change the Grid Size
If you have noticed your once perfectly aligned posts looking a bit off, you are not alone. Instagram quietly rolled out grid changes that affect how your profile is displayed.
The Key Changes
- Aspect Ratio Tweaks. Instead of the rigid 1:1 square focus, Instagram now favors a 4:5 ratio for images in the grid preview.
- Thumbnails Look Taller. Your carefully designed checkerboard or puzzle grid layouts might now appear misaligned.
- Consistency Issues. Older posts, previously optimized for the old format, may no longer line up as expected.
Why Would Instagram Do This
The reason is user experience and engagement.
- A 4:5 vertical format takes up more screen space, meaning posts have more visual impact as users scroll.
- This ratio is already the best-performing format for engagement in the feed. Instagram is now extending that preference to profiles.
- It encourages more natural content, moving away from the overly curated perfect aesthetic that dominated Instagram for years.
Instagram wants to prioritize content that feels more organic and engaging rather than overly polished grids. But where does that leave brands that spent years curating their feeds
The Impact on Brand Aesthetics. What This Means for You
If your brand’s Instagram relies on structured grid planning, this update changes the game.
1. Puzzle Layouts No Longer Align Perfectly
Many brands and creators used puzzle grids, where individual posts connect into one large image. With this change, those grids might not align the way they used to, disrupting your brand’s visual storytelling.
Solution
- Instead of full-grid puzzles, opt for carousel posts where storytelling happens within a single post rather than across multiple.
- Focus on high-quality individual posts rather than worrying about how they fit into the grid.
2. The Death of the Perfectly Curated Grid
Instagram is subtly pushing brands toward less rigid, more authentic visuals. The rise of raw, behind-the-scenes content means brands that prioritize aesthetics over engagement might struggle.
Solution
- Loosen up your brand aesthetic. Focus on storytelling over symmetry.
- Mix up content formats. Use reels, behind-the-scenes images, and casual product shots instead of just polished visuals.
3. More Vertical Real Estate Equals More Engagement
The shift to a 4:5 preview format benefits brands that prioritize engagement over perfection. Since taller posts take up more screen space, they are more likely to catch attention.
Solution
- Switch to 4:5 formats for images to maximize visibility.
- Use close-up shots and bold typography. These stand out better in the taller frame.
Instagram Grid Tips, How to Adapt Your Brand Strategy
Now that we understand what has changed, let’s talk about how to make these changes work for your brand.
1. Optimize for the New Aspect Ratio
- Shift from 1:1 squares to 4:5 vertical posts.
- Ensure that key elements such as text, logos, and faces are centered so they do not get cropped in different views.
2. Reimagine Your Grid Strategy
- If you used a checkerboard pattern such as alternating dark and light posts, try a column-based approach instead.
- Break away from rigid patterns. Brands that evolve with the platform always win.
3. Prioritize Carousels Over Single Posts
- Instagram prioritizes carousels in feeds, and now they look better in the grid too.
- Use before and after transformations, product details, or step-by-step guides in carousel posts.
4. Lean Into Video Content Even in the Grid
- Reels now get prime placement in the feed, and Instagram is nudging users to post more video.
- Experiment with short-form storytelling, tutorials, and brand showcases to stay relevant.
5. Test and Adapt. Your Audience Tells You What Works
- Use Instagram insights to track engagement after adjusting your strategy.
- If a particular format starts underperforming, pivot quickly.
Why This is a Good Thing for Brands
At first, it is easy to feel frustrated by these changes, especially if your brand’s Instagram aesthetic has been a carefully crafted work of art. But let’s reframe the opportunity.
- Better engagement. Posts that take up more space tend to grab attention.
- More creative freedom. No longer tied to rigid grid layouts, brands can focus on content quality.
- A more real Instagram. This is a shift away from hyper-curated, artificial branding and toward a more personal, relatable approach.
Capitalise on the Change and Own Your Brand Aesthetic
At Infiniqe Marketing, we have seen time and again that brands that adapt, win. Whether it was Instagram’s pivot to video, the rise of stories, or algorithm updates, the brands that stay flexible and strategic always come out ahead.
Instagram’s grid changes may feel disruptive at first, but they are pushing brands toward better engagement, better visibility, and more creativity.
Instead of fighting it, lean in.
Test new formats, let go of rigid aesthetic rules, and focus on content that tells your brand story in the most compelling way possible.
If you need a branding agency in Surat to help navigate these changes, Infiniqe Marketing is here to make sure your Instagram not only adapts but thrives.
Instagram Grid Tips Recap
- Switch to 4:5 vertical posts to maximize engagement.
- Ditch puzzle grids. They will not align perfectly anymore.
- Emphasize carousels and video content to boost visibility.
- Let go of rigid aesthetics and focus on storytelling.
- Keep testing and evolving. Instagram rewards adaptability.
What do you think about Instagram’s latest grid update? Love it, hate it, or still figuring it out? Let us know your thoughts.
