Instagram: Be There or Be Square

Social media apps seem to have updates all the time. Some of these updates don’t seem to make the app any different than it was before, while others make several huge differences in the way the app works. 

Said changes could also make bigger impacts on some groups of people than others. Take the new Instagram format, for example. The new format included in the latest update and predicted future updates makes a big difference to users, regardless of whether or not they work for social media marketing agencies.

The photo format for Instagram has always been a standard square shape. For some users, this was never seen as a problem. For others, however, it would be frustrating because sometimes the photo would be cut off or incomplete. Because of this, some users would have to adjust the size of their photo or put a frame around it to make it fit Instagram’s square. 

The new Instagram update no longer forces fans to fit their photos in the same square space. On August 27, Instagram tweeted, “Square always has been and always will be part of who we are. We’re glad that moments of every format will now feel at home on Instagram.” The app now allows people to post vertical and horizontal photos and videos.

One of the biggest benefits of Instagram’s new format gives marketing agencies the ability to post photos more simply and efficiently. There is no longer any need to crop or frame a photo to ensure that it displays properly to viewers on Instagram. 

This new format has the potential to make a very big impact on both marketing agencies and users who promote their videos. Film previews can now be posted with a horizontal format. “Star Wars” has already taken advantage of the new, flexible format. The Star Wars Instagram account horizontally posted a video teaser for its upcoming film. 

The VP of Integrated Marketing at Stance discussed the difference the new format will make for marketing agencies, saying, "I'm sure we'll see an explosion of movies and sneak peeks of trailers.” 

He continued by stating, “…but if people just start throwing up their 15-second trailer or their TV ads, that's where Instagram falls into the trap of looking like every other platform."

Instagram’s new format has received a great deal of positive feedback from users, thus far. The format update has already improved the experience for some marketers, as well. Instagram, like other social media platforms, will always change and look to improve. With this in mind, marketers could benefit even more from future updates.

Jordan Lee writes for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. She writes for many other clients as well.