Small Update, Big Impact!

A small shift that can make your Instagram content work harder

Author

Samer C.
June 4th, 2025 • Reading Time: 5 minutes

In partnership with

Hey everyone,

Special Wednesday edition that might be my shortest ever. 

Instagram launched a pretty important change to what formats they support and it might be big news for your socials.

The good news? it’s super simple, but strategically important.

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Instagram now supports 3:4 aspect ratio images

Instagram just made a quiet but meaningful update: you can now post static images in a 3:4 aspect ratio.

It might sound minor, but it changes how your content shows up in the feed, and yes, it’s a big deal.

Let’s break down what this means and why your brand should start adapting immediately.

What’s new?

You can now post vertical 3:4 photos, the default size your phone camera takes. It’s a long-overdue move, especially considering Instagram only recently shifted grid thumbnails to 5:4.

The tradeoff?

While 3:4 posts are perfect for the feed, they won’t display as cleanly in your grid.

But let’s be real: feed performance matters more than the profile aesthetic. Priorities.

Why 3:4 is a no-brainer

For years, Instagram trained us to think in squares. Then came 5:4.

Now, 3:4 gives us even more vertical space to grab attention in the feed.

More space = more presence = more engagement. It’s that simple.

So if you’re still posting 1:1 squares or even 4:5s... why? Start designing your brand’s static images in 3:4 moving forward.

Carousels just got taller (and better)

Carousels also support 3:4 now, which means more room to tell your story with each swipe.

This is where brands can shine.

Use the extra space to build narrative, break down ideas, or highlight product features more visually.

And while we’re on the topic...

Stop posting just one image

Hot take: Every brand post should either be a carousel or a short-form vertical video. That’s how the algorithm works, and it’s how people prefer to consume content now.

We’ve all seen it on creator, personal and business accounts.

Now let’s start implementing that.

TL;DR: The cheat sheet

Here’s the quick summary to forward to your boss or client (or steal for your next strategy doc):

  • Instagram now supports 3:4 aspect ratio

  • 3:4 gives you more feed real estate = more visibility

  • All brand posts should shift to this format

  • Carousels > single images. Always.

It’s a small shift, but one that can seriously level up your content performance.

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