Instagram’s New Grid Just Wrecked Your Business Profile – Now What?
- Kyle Senger
- Mar 13
- 8 min read
You know that moment when you walk into a room, only to realize something is very wrong? That’s the exact feeling small business owners and social media managers had when they logged into Instagram recently.
Did You Just Open Instagram and Panic?
Gone was the perfectly planned grid, the seamless aesthetic, the hours (or let’s be real—weeks) of careful curation. In its place? A taller, slightly chaotic mess where graphics got chopped, layouts were ruined, and suddenly, that sleek, professional look you spent a fortune with your marketing agency to build seemed less than polished.
So, what happened? Instagram decided that the traditional square grid wasn’t cutting it anymore and made a major update—one that you need to fix fast if you want your brand to keep looking top-tier.
What Changed? The Instagram Grid Gets a Height Boost
Once upon a time, Instagram was the land of the 1:1 square. Everything fit neatly, posts aligned like Tetris blocks, and businesses could create eye-catching grids that told a visual story. It was simple. It was predictable. It was a dream.
And then? The algorithm said, "Let's shake things up."
Now, Instagram has introduced a 3:4 ratio (1080x1350 pixels) format, meaning posts appear taller instead of perfectly square. This is great for vertical-first content, which Instagram is clearly pushing, but if you or your creative agency designed your posts for the old-school layout? Well, let’s just say it’s not so great.
This shift impacts your entire Instagram presence:
Taller posts now take up more space, making them more visible in the feed.
Square images may get cropped awkwardly, cutting off important text or branding.
The checkerboard and puzzle-feed are probably not working anymore.
At first, this feels like a disaster. But don’t worry, Unalike Marketing is here to help you fix it.
Why Did Instagram Make This Change?
Instagram officially rolled out its new rectangular profile grid layout, moving away from the iconic square format, over the weekend of January 18th, 2025. You might be wondering, was anyone even asking for this?
Instagram’s official reason for switching to a taller 3:4 grid layout is to better align with the increasing dominance of vertical content. The platform has been pushing Reels and Stories, both of which thrive in full-screen, vertical formats. This move is meant to make the overall experience more consistent across different content types. But let’s be real—Instagram doesn’t just change things for fun.
Competing With TikTok
Instagram is still battling TikTok for users’ attention, and vertical-first content is the key to engagement. Taller images match the mobile-first experience people are used to.
Increasing Watch Time
When content takes up more screen space, users are more likely to stop scrolling and engage. That’s great for Instagram’s ad revenue—and a signal for businesses to rethink their designs.
Push Towards More Video
While this update mainly affects static image posts, it’s a sign that Instagram wants businesses to post more Reels. If you haven’t embraced video yet, now’s the time.
Forcing Businesses to Adapt
If Instagram forces brands to update their content strategies, they stay relevant and engaged. The more effort businesses put into making new, taller graphics, the more content gets refreshed and that means more time spent on Instagram.
So, like it or not, this change is here to stay. And brands that adapt quickly will come out ahead.
Here's How to Fix Cropped Images in Your Instagram Grid
You don’t have the time (or patience) to start from scratch. The good news? You don’t have to. Instead, you just need to tweak your marketing strategy to make sure your posts align with the new format. If your Instagram posts appear awkwardly cropped due to the platform's recent shift from a 1:1 square format to a 4:5 aspect ratio, there's a straightforward solution to adjust each post individually:
Access the Post Options:
Navigate to the specific post on your profile that appears cropped or misaligned.
Tap the three dots (…) located at the top right corner of the post.
Edit the Post:
From the dropdown menu, select "Adjust Preview."
Adjust the Image:
The post will enter edit mode, allowing you to reposition or zoom out the image within the new aspect ratio constraints.
Choose to add a white or black background, those are your only two colour options.
Ensure that the key elements of your image are centred and properly displayed.
Save Changes:
After making the necessary adjustments, tap "Done" or "Save" to apply the changes.
Considerations for Frequent Posters
If you post regularly, older posts affected by the aspect ratio change will naturally move down your feed over time, becoming less visible to your audience. In such cases, it might not be necessary to adjust each past post immediately.
Delegating the Task
For businesses with dedicated social media teams or agencies, it's advisable to:
Assign the Task: Request that your marketing team reviews and updates past posts to ensure consistency and professionalism across your profile.
Prioritize Key Content: Focus on adjusting posts that showcase essential products, services, or branding elements.
Optimize Future Posts for the 4:5 Aspect Ratio
If your designs are still square, STOP. From now on, aim for 1080x1350 pixels—this taller format aligns with Instagram’s new preferences and ensures your posts don’t get cut off. The new layout favours vertical images, meaning posts in this format will naturally get more visibility in the feed.
Marketing Agency Pro Tip: Not sure how your post will look? Use Instagram’s “Adjust Preview” feature before hitting publish.
Reels & Videos Are Unaffected—For Now
While the profile grid has changed, Reels are still king in Instagram’s algorithm. Since Reels already display in a full-screen vertical format (9:16 ratio, 1080x1920 pixels), they aren’t affected too much by this update.
However, you should still keep these things in mind:
Avoid placing important text or graphics at the edges. Even though the Reels tab displays full-size thumbnails, the main profile grid crops them to 3:4.
Custom reel covers might get cut off. If you create branded thumbnail images for your Reels, make sure they look good in both 9:16 (full screen) and 3:4 (grid preview).
Rethink Your Grid Strategy (It’s Probably Outdated Anyway)
Raise your hand if you spent way too much time making sure your grid had a perfect checkerboard effect. Unfortunately, that may not work anymore. The new layout messes with puzzle feeds, perfectly spaced quotes, and other aesthetic tricks businesses have been using for years. So, what now? Here are some grid strategies that still look great under the new format.
Column Themes - Stick to a structured left-centre-right design. This keeps your feed organized, even with the taller posts.
Colour Cohesion - Use a consistent colour palette to make your posts feel unified, even if they don’t follow a strict pattern.
Content Blocks - Design each post as a standalone piece rather than relying on an overall feed aesthetic.
Make your grid flexible enough to withstand future Instagram updates, because let’s be honest, this won’t be the last change.
Save Your Old Instagram Posts (Without Reposting Everything)
Let’s talk about damage control. If your existing posts are looking weird on your profile now and you don't want to go back and adjust them all, here’s what you can do:
Use the Archive Feature – If some posts look really bad, you don’t have to delete them! Just archive them to clean up your feed.
Pin Strategic Content – Instagram lets you pin three posts to the top of your grid. Choose posts that still look great under the new layout.
What to Do If You Use a Scheduling Platform
If you’re managing your Instagram through a scheduling tool, this update might have caught you off guard. Platforms like Later, Planoly, Buffer, Sprout Social, and Hootsuite allow businesses to pre-plan posts, but most were optimized for the old square grid format. This means:
Your scheduled posts might now look weird, cropped, or off-centre.
Any grid preview tools might not reflect how your profile actually looks.
If you use auto-publishing, you might be pushing out incorrectly formatted images.
Here’s How to Fix It
Check Your Upcoming Scheduled Posts – Log in to your scheduler and preview how your queued posts will appear in the new grid. If they were designed for square format, consider editing or replacing them before they go live.
Update Your Post Dimensions – Most scheduling tools let you resize images within the platform. Look for settings that allow you to switch from 1:1 (square) to 4:5 or 3:4 formats.
Use the “Adjust Preview” Feature on Instagram – Even if your scheduling tool hasn’t updated its grid preview, Instagram’s own posting tools let you crop and reposition your image before publishing.
Be Cautious With Auto-Publishing – Some platforms (like Hootsuite or Buffer) allow automatic posting, but Instagram’s native tools offer better control over cropping. If in doubt, post manually until your scheduling tool fully supports the new grid.
Refresh Your Grid Planning Strategy – If you were using a tool like Planoly or Later to pre-arrange your aesthetic, make sure to update your previews so your new grid layout still looks cohesive.
This Update Affects Instagram And Other Social Media Platforms
Think this is just an Instagram problem? Think again. Many businesses use the same graphics across multiple platforms—Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter—but here’s the catch, they all use different aspect ratios.
Prefers square (1:1) or horizontal (16:9). Tall Instagram posts might get awkwardly cropped in previews.
Leans toward horizontal images. Your 4:5 Instagram post might not translate well here.
Previews favour landscape images. If you’re cross-posting, your branding could look completely different on each platform.
Loves vertical images. The Instagram update actually makes it easier to share content here.
The solution? Don’t rely on a “one-size-fits-all” approach to social media graphics. Use tools like Canva to resize your content for each platform before publishing.
The Bigger Picture: Why Your Social Media Presence Still Matters
At the end of the day, Instagram’s grid update isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about how people perceive your brand. A messy, unorganized profile? That makes people think your business isn’t professional.A clean, visually appealing presence? That builds trust and credibility.
Brand Trust – First impressions matter. A well-optimized Instagram feed instantly makes your business look more polished and put-together.
Higher Engagement – Users spend more time on profiles that look clean and professional.
SEO Benefits – A strong social presence helps with search rankings, making it easier for people to find your business, whether it's in Regina, Saskatchewan or Toronto, Ontario.
Competitive Advantage – Businesses that adapt quickly will stand out while others scramble to catch up.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let the Instagram Algorithm Win
Instagram’s grid change might have ruined your perfect aesthetic, but it doesn’t have to ruin your brand. Instead of panicking, adapt. Update your content, rethink your grid, and embrace the new format before your competitors do.
And if you need help? Unalike Marketing has your back. We specialize in helping businesses across Canada and the United States to build strong, engaging social media presences. Whether you need custom graphics, a new strategy, or just someone to handle the headache for you, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s get your social media back on track—contact us today!
About the Author
Kyle Senger
Kyle Senger is the Founder and Lead Strategist of Unalike Marketing, a Saskatchewan-based agency helping small and medium-sized businesses stay ahead of social media trends with strategic, data-driven marketing. With nearly 20 years of experience, Kyle specializes in social media optimization, content strategy, and digital branding, ensuring businesses maintain a polished and professional online presence—even when platforms like Instagram roll out unexpected changes.
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