Instagram Introduces Vertical Grid Format for Media Uploads in New Pilot Program

Instagram is exploring a novel approach for media uploads, as disclosed by company leader Adam Mosseri on Friday. This new pilot initiative allows a select group of users to upload images and videos in a vertical grid style, eliminating the necessity to crop their content into a square format. This advancement is part of the recent modifications made to the platform, which also includes an increased limit for media uploads in carousels, thereby removing the requirement to break collections into separate posts.

In an Instagram story shared on Friday, Adam Mosseri provided insights regarding this new trial. A restricted number of users can now utilize vertical grids instead of the traditional square format on the social media site. He noted that the square posting format was inherited from earlier times when Instagram permitted only such uploads. However, he emphasized that the vast majority of media currently shared on Instagram is in vertical formats.

Typically, users upload photos at a 4:3 aspect ratio and videos at 9:16, and reducing these to a square feels quite limiting. Mosseri acknowledged that this change might impact users who invest time aligning their media before uploading. He expressed hope that they could successfully navigate through this transition.

According to a statement from Instagram spokesperson Christine Pai given to The Verge, the team is attentive to community feedback before making further advancements. The concept of vertical profile grids on Instagram was initially identified in 2022 by source Alessandro Paluzzi, who indicated that the platform might allow users to alternate between a square grid and a 4:5 format, thus providing more options when sharing content.

Instagram began trialing this feature with a limited user base last year, and it appears that the testing phase is now broadening. Staff members from Gadgets 360 could not confirm the feature's current availability, but users across various social media platforms have reported sightings of the new profile grid format.