Instagram is currently testing a significant alteration to its profile pages, which involves switching the square grid format to a vertical rectangle layout. This change has been noticed by some users recently, although hints about such a grid format have been circulating since 2022. According to Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, most content uploaded today is vertical, either in a 4:3 photo ratio or a 9:16 video ratio, and cropping this content into a square format has become increasingly restrictive.

Mosseri explained that the original square format is a relic from a time when Instagram only supported square photos—a restriction that was removed back in 2015. While he acknowledges that this shift might frustrate those who’ve carefully curated their profile grids to align perfectly, he insists the change aims to better suit today’s content standards.

An Instagram spokesperson, Christine Pai, confirmed to *The Verge* that the vertical grid is a limited test, with the company actively gathering user feedback before deciding whether to implement it more broadly.

If your profile is carefully organized with square images, it may be time to consider how a vertical grid could affect your layout, as this change might eventually become the new standard on Instagram.

Mosseri emphasized that this shift aligns with Instagram’s commitment to evolving alongside user behavior and content trends.