Instagram Just Got an Upgrade: Here’s What You Need to Know

What's up with Instagram lately? 

Instagram is evolving fast, and if you're not keeping up, you could be missing out on major engagement opportunities. Whether you're a creator, business, or brand, Instagram Reels is now one of the most powerful tools for visibility and growth. But with recent updates, how should you adapt your content strategy to stay ahead?

Let’s break down the latest Instagram changes, what they mean for you, and how to optimize your content for reach, engagement, and visibility.

📌 1. 4:5 Profile Grid View

Instagram is shifting the profile grid preview from square (1:1) to a 4:5 ratio. This means that your older posts might not be fully visible as users scroll through your feed.

How to adapt:
✔️ Crop & resize your posts before publishing to fit the new grid view.
✔️ Use UNUM’s post preview feature to see exactly how your post will look on your profile before hitting publish.
✔️ Prioritize vertical content for better visibility.

🎬 2. 3-Minute Reels

Short-form video remains king, but Instagram is now allowing Reels up to 3 minutes long. This means longer storytelling, deeper engagement, and more creative freedom.

Best strategies for 3-minute Reels:
✔️ Hook viewers in the first 3 seconds – Instagram ranks content based on watch time.
✔️ Use captions and subtitles to make content accessible.
✔️ Try a storytelling format – break content into sections to keep viewers engaged.

📈 3. Instagram’s New Ranking System

Instagram now ranks content by Connected Reach (your followers) and Unconnected Reach (new audiences).

🚀 Why does this matter?
Instagram is prioritizing content that gets:
✅ More watch time per Reel
✅ More likes per reach
✅ More shares per reach

How to rank higher:
✔️ Keep watch time high by making videos that hold attention.
✔️ Add engaging CTAs like “Comment below” or “Tag a friend.”
✔️ Make shareable content – tutorials, behind-the-scenes, and trending challenges work best.

🔥 4. Friends-Focused Reels

Instagram is making Reels more social by introducing the Friends button, where you can now see what Reels your friends are engaging with.

What does this mean?
📌 Engagement is key. The more people interact with your content, the more likely it is to be recommended to others.
📌 Create share-worthy content. Ask questions, encourage interactions, and make your content easy to share.

🎞️ 5. Instagram’s New Video Editing App Is Coming!

Instagram is set to launch its own video editing app March 13, 2025 , making it easier for creators to edit and refine Reels directly within the platform.

Why this matters:
✔️ Editing will be simpler & more accessible.
✔️ Fewer third-party tools will be needed. (don't worry, you'll still have us! :))

Ready to Grow Online?

With these changes, now is the time to fine-tune your Instagram strategy. Whether it's resizing your posts to optimize for the new feed layout, strategizing using 3-minute Reels to tell a compelling story, or increasing watch time to rank higher, these updates present huge opportunities for creators and brands alike.

🚀 Want to see how your audience views your content before posting? Try UNUM’s Post Preview feature now!

📲 Stay ahead of the trends with us @unumcloud

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