I remember how happy I was when Instagram's CEO, Adam Mosseri, broadcasted on his personal Instagram account that they were shifting Instagram from being a photo-focused platform into a video-focused platform! Because I love video! THEN when they announced the move from SQUARE (oh so tiny!) to PORTRAIT (oh so much bigger!) that made my tuneful whistling ditty into a full blown song! (yes, I'm a whistler, and when you hear me whistling, you know I'm happy!)
You can still watch that update here:
Since that update, there have been dozens of changes and updates from Instagram this year! Some of my favourites (updates directly from Meta):
1. Edit Your Messages, Pin Your Chats and More Instagram DM Updates (March 4, 2024) - great to avoid mistakes in DMs!
2. New Stickers in Instagram Stories (May 3, 2024) - very fun to explore!
3. Carousels increased from 10 pics, to 20 pics! (August 8, 2024)
New post, video, and reel sizes!
We've compiled a list of the new post, video, and reel sizes for Instagram. Check them out below, and you can also bookmark this blog so you can always come back here later for new Instagram size updates! If you want updated sizes for other platforms, click here.
1. Instagram static graphic posts
For all static graphic posts, we've gone from a 1:1 (SQUARE) to 4:5 aspect ratio, or 1080 x 1350 pixels (PORTRAIT). This is awesome because your graphic / image is taking up more space on someone's phone! Less opportunity for them to be distracted by the noise above and below their scroll!
Important to note: If you're adding text overlay on your photo or graphic, make sure it's placed as close to the centre of the graphic, not at the very top or bottom.
2. Video posts
Instagram started rolling out to some accounts that instead of seeing a full square video, it was turned into a REEL! Not sure how I feel about that, but I do love making reels and watching reels so you need to jump on that band wagon asap!
Important to note: If you don't want to change the size of your video into a reel size, you'll see a black space on top of and below your video, taking up the extra space that you didn't fill in because you're still using the old video size instead of the reel size. Let me show you!
It's important that you always turn all your future video posts into a reel and change the size into a reel size. Which brings me to my next topic.
3. Instagram Reels
Instagram Reels are the future of video storytelling on Instagram. I call them snackable content. They're bite-size, engaging, fun and completely addictive!
According to Meta, Reels are responsible for 20% of the overall time spent on the platform. That's quite a chunk when you think there are many other places a scroller can be spending their time ... and it's growing day by day!
So if you're not creating Reels yet, make sure that you jump on the Reels bandwagon to reach more people, raise awareness of your brand, and drive more traffic to your bio (which in turn aims to drive more traffic to your website!).
Important to note: If you're adding text overlay to your Reels, make sure that you place them as close to the centre as possible, definitely not at the very bottom or within the circle in the photo below (so, avoid the bottom 1/3 of the screen) PLUS not too close to the edges. You don't want your important words/message getting lost or covered by captions, audio info etc!
Instagram has a feature called Automated Captions that anyone on the platform can turn on (I do!) So, whenever I watch a reel (with Automated Captions turned on), I see the caption floating over the video, so if there is text there, chances are, I won't be able to read your message properly!
4. Instagram Reel cover
For your Instagram Reel cover, it should still be the reel size which is 1080 x 1920 but the important information should be inside the Instagram square grid.
5. Instagram Stories
The updated size for Instagram Stories is 9:16 ratio, or 1080 x 1920 pixels. This means that you can share your Reels into your Stories anytime.
Important to note: Don't add important information or stickers too close to the edges because they won't work.
Wanna know SOMETHING NEW?? SOME PEOPLE are getting the new size to try out ... I can't wait until that rolls out to everyone's accounts! From a square grid, to a portrait grid. YESSS - that excites me!
