Instagram is shaking things up. From brand-new features to a couple major changes in how content appears on your profile, Instagram is redefining how we’ll all be using the platform this year. Whether you're a brand trying to stay ahead of the curve or a creator aiming to adapt quickly, these updates will affect you.

I’m here to break down what’s really changing, what it means for your marketing strategy, and how to get ahead of the game. Let’s dive in!

The Big Picture: What’s Really Happening?

Before we dive into the specifics, let’s take a step back and look at Instagram’s big-picture direction. Instagram is making moves in three key areas:

1. Stepping away from traditional moderation – Instagram is shifting towards community-driven features like the "Community Notes," where users will be able to flag misinformation themselves, in a similar fashion to X.

2. Doubling down on TikTok-style features – Reels, the centerpiece of Instagram’s future, are now becoming longer, social-driven, and the go-to format for discovery.

3. Embracing longer-form content – 3-minute Reels are here, and Instagram’s changing the game with new storytelling formats, pushing creators and brands to think bigger.

These shifts aren’t just minor tweaks. They'll represent a fundamental change in how Instagram users will interact with the platform in 2025.

1. The Community Notes Revolution: Say Goodbye to Fact-Checkers 👋

This is one of the most dramatic moves Meta is making this year. They plan to replace third-party fact-checkers with Community Notes, empowering users to flag misinformation themselves.

What’s Actually Changing?

• Third-party fact-checkers are out. Instead, users will play a more significant role in content moderation.

• User-generated notes will allow any approved contributor to flag misinformation, and the community votes on which notes are displayed.

• Content can be flagged for inaccuracy, and users will have a chance to explain their reasoning.

What Does This Mean for Marketers?

Here’s where it could get interesting for your brand:

• Engagement: You could see more direct interaction with your audience.

• Trust: It gives you the chance to build trust with your audience by showing transparency.

• Increased Risk of False Claims: Without traditional moderation, your posts could face more scrutiny. It’ll be crucial to ensure your posts are accurate.

Potential Smart Strategy Adjustments

Tip 1: Add citations and sources in your captions to back up specific claims.

Tip 2: Get more involved in the comments section. Acknowledge your community’s concerns and address them directly.

2. The New Grid Layout: 3:4 Ratio Changes Everything

One of the most noticeable changes already rolled out is the new 3:4 grid ratio. Instagram’s previous 1:1 grid format is out, and now, profiles will display images and videos in a vertical, taller grid.

What This Really Means for Marketers?

• Vertical Format: With this change, Instagram is making it easier for users to post vertical images and videos without worrying about cropping.

• More Space for Creativity: This new format gives you more vertical space, allowing for better image composition, and could change how you approach your content.

Practical Tips for the New Grid

Tip 1: When posting images, position important elements at the top so they are visible in the preview.

Tip 2: Leverage the vertical space for product demos or lifestyle shots that need more room.

Tip 3: Create carousel posts that visually flow through the grid to take full advantage of the new format.

Adam Mosseri, the Head of Instagram, shared yesterday that Instagram will soon allow users to reorder their grids, which is a pretty big feature in and of itself. So, if the new update threw off your carefully curated feed, you’ll soon be able to fix that by moving images around at will. This is huge for brands and creators who put significant effort into maintaining an aesthetic.

User Reactions: Mixed Feelings About the New Grid

As with any update, not everyone is thrilled about these changes. Some users are excited about the possibility of reordering their grid, while others are less than happy about the new layout.

These mixed reactions highlight that not everyone is on board with the changes. For some, it’s a positive shift, while for others, it’s an unwelcome disruption to their established aesthetic. It’s clear that Instagram is testing the waters, and it will be interesting to see how or if user feedback will shape future updates.

3. The Social Reels Tab: Your Friends' Activity Now Matters More

Instagram is planning on adding a new tab that highlights Reels your friends have interacted with.

How It Works:

• The new Social Reels tab shows Reels your friends have liked or commented on, creating more of a social discovery element.

• Content is more likely to spread organically through your friend groups, creating a tighter-knit community experience.

Why This Changes Things For Your Brand:

• Social Circles Matter: Content shared in friend groups becomes a micro-distribution network, making it more organic.

• Increased Engagement: If you can get your content shared among well-connected users, it could reach a far larger audience than just your followers.

How to Take Advantage of This:

Tip 1: Engage with your followers who have a strong social presence. The more you interact with influential followers, the more likely your Reels will be shared.

Tip 2: Look at creating content that encourages sharing between friends and followers. For example, create fun challenges or relatable content that people want to pass on to their friends.

Tip 3: Focus on community-building in your Reels content. As the algorithm prioritizes content from friends and close connections, the more engaged your followers are, the better.

4. Three-Minute Reels: The Long-Form Revolution

Reels are getting even longer. Previously capped at 90 seconds, the new 3-minute Reels format is now available, offering more opportunities for creators and brands to tell stories.

What’s New in 3-Minute Reels?

• Extended Time Limit: Reels can now be up to 3 minutes long, doubling the previous 90-second cap.

• More Complex Storytelling: This opens up possibilities for tutorials, longer brand stories, and behind-the-scenes content.

Making Longer Reels Work:

Tip 1: Hook viewers early – grab attention within the first 3 seconds with a bold statement or question.

Tip 2: Break your content into easy-to-digest sections, using on-screen text to add context.

Tip 3: Call-to-action: Make sure you end your Reels with a strong call-to-action, whether it’s directing viewers to your website, asking them to comment, or encouraging them to share.

5. The Return of Political Content: Navigate with Care

While some updates have gotten rave reviews, others need more careful navigation. Political content is making a return to the feeds, and with it comes the need for strategic planning.

What’s Changing?

• Instagram will be more lenient with political content, allowing it to show up more freely in feeds.

• The fact-checking oversight has been reduced, which means there’s a higher chance of viral political content making its way into the mix.

What You Need to Know:

Tip 1: Be mindful of how your brand interacts with political issues. Know when to stay neutral and when to engage.

Tip 2: If you’re tackling political topics, make sure your guidelines are clear on what your brand’s values are and how you’ll engage with political content.

6. A New App Has Entered the Ring: Edits

Instagram is stepping up its video editing game with the launch of Edits on March 13th, 2025. This new app is poised to revolutionize how creators approach video content on the platform by offering a comprehensive suite of creative tools and features designed to streamline the editing process.

What's New with Edits?

• Comprehensive Creative Tools: Everything from basic trimming to green screens and transitions, Edits promises to deliver a robust editing experience.

• Dedicated Inspiration Tab: Need ideas? The app features a tab filled with inspiration to help spark creativity.

• Higher-Quality Recording Capabilities: Capture videos with better resolution and clarity, all directly through the app.

• Sharing Directly from the App: Share your edited video directly from the Edits app to Instagram.

• Performance Insights: For videos posted to Instagram, users can gain valuable insights into how their content is performing.

The CapCut Dupe Debate

With features reminiscent of popular editing apps like CapCut, Edits is sparking discussions on whether it's the ultimate editing tool for Instagram creators or just another player in the crowded video editing space. What sets it apart is the seamless integration with Instagram, offering creators the ability to optimize and analyze their content directly from the platform.

Tips for Marketers

Tip 1: Experiment Early. Dive into Edits as soon as it's available to get ahead of the curve and understand its nuances.

Tip 2: Analyze and Adjust. Use the performance insights to fine-tune your video strategy based on what works.

Final Thoughts 💭

Instagram’s 2025 updates aren’t just cosmetic – they’re an interesting shift in how users, creators, marketers and brands will interact with the platform. By embracing these changes early on, you can ensure your brand/marketing strategy stays ahead of the competition and maximizes its impact.

What do you think about these updates? How do you feel about the new grid? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your thoughts!