Instagram is once again making waves in the social media world by testing a major change in how user profiles are displayed. This time, it’s all about Instagram’s vertical profile grid view—a shift that aims to modernize the browsing experience and align more closely with how content is actually consumed on the app.
What Is the Vertical Profile Grid View?
Traditionally, Instagram profiles have showcased content in a uniform square grid format. This grid helped maintain visual consistency but often forced users and brands to crop or adjust their content unnaturally. Instagram’s latest test changes that by allowing posts to appear in a 3:4 vertical format, directly in line with the standard viewing orientation of mobile users.
In this test, photos and videos on a user’s profile appear vertically stacked, eliminating the harsh visual transitions that often disrupt storytelling or aesthetic flow. This vertical grid not only supports the native way users shoot and upload content but also offers creators and businesses more space to visually communicate their stories.
Why the Change?
The shift to a vertical profile layout isn’t just a stylistic upgrade. It reflects a broader strategy by Instagram to adapt to the dominance of mobile-first, video-centric content. Most smartphones now shoot vertical photos and videos by default, and content consumption has increasingly leaned toward vertical formats thanks to Stories, Reels, and vertical feeds on competitors like TikTok and X.
This new grid may also help Instagram better support long-form visuals, full-body fashion shots, behind-the-scenes content, and product showcases that benefit from extra screen real estate.
Potential Impact on Creators and Brands
For content creators, the vertical profile grid could be a game-changer. It means less time formatting content to fit into squares and more opportunity to let vertical storytelling shine. Fashion influencers, fitness coaches, photographers, and product-based businesses stand to benefit the most, as they often rely on tall, detailed images.
For brands, this layout offers a stronger stage to showcase Instagram product tags, AR filters, and CTA buttons, as vertical space can be used more effectively. Businesses with robust Instagram Shops might also find improved engagement as products appear more prominently in the feed.
User Reactions So Far
Reactions to the test have been mixed. Some users welcome the change as a long-overdue evolution, while others miss the symmetry of the traditional square grid. However, many creators are excited by the increased creative flexibility and feel it makes Instagram feel more modern and aligned with current content consumption habits.
Instagram has yet to announce when or if the vertical profile grid view will roll out globally. As of now, the test appears limited to select users on both Android and iOS platforms.
What This Means for the Future of Instagram
The vertical grid experiment is part of Instagram’s broader push to compete more aggressively with TikTok and YouTube Shorts. By enhancing visual storytelling and reducing friction in content display, Instagram is building a stronger foundation for Reels, video ads, and interactive shopping experiences.
If adopted globally, this new profile layout could set a precedent for how social platforms display user-generated content in the future—especially as mobile video becomes the default mode of communication.
Elevate Your Brand with Digilogy
As Instagram and other platforms continue evolving their design and functionality, brands need expert guidance to stay competitive. At Digilogy, we help businesses craft data-led, AI-powered marketing strategies that adapt seamlessly to platform changes like the vertical profile grid view.
From social media content creation to platform optimization and performance marketing, we’re here to help you grow in the age of visual-first content. Contact Digilogy today to explore how we can modernize your Instagram marketing strategy and elevate your brand presence.
