Instagram Updates 2025: What New Features To Expect

Instagram continues to conform to the ever-changing nature of the digital space in 2025. Be it advanced features for content creation or algorithmic changes, the recent updates on the app seem to affect both casual users and content creators. The evolution brings exciting new features, changing how we share, communicate, and experience it. 

Here’s a look at the app’s updates in 2025, the new algorithm Instagram, and how they’ll influence the future of the application.

1. More Focus on Original Content

The biggest Instagram latest updates in 2025 is that it has changed to its new algorithm. According to Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, the app is shifting its strategy to encourage original content over shared or recycled material. To favor creativity and authenticity, the app will now favor users who share original posts, videos, and images with more visibility in their followers’ feeds.

That means creators must pay more attention to creating unique and engaging content that will stand out. This shift in algorithm aims to make the space quite organic and creative so that its users can share and interact with each other. 

For instance, if you’re experimenting with content, like learning how to change the background color on Instagram story, it could help you gain more exposure. As Mosseri mentioned, Instagram plans to reward users by posting more original and personalized content, which is the future trend on the platform.

2. Instagram Profile Grid Update: Rectangular Content

As part of the efforts to stay abreast of the changes in content trends, Instagram is also introducing its latest changes in the profile grid. No more square for profile grids: the company is letting go of the previous format so that rectangular content will fit well in today’s vertical videos and photos. In the new grid format, cropping pictures to go along with the square format is something users will no longer need to do. Instead, the content will be displayed as it was supposed to be seen.

This will be critical and pleasing for photographers and content developers who use images of different orientations. Moving to a more organic, rectangular presentation enables the viewer to better consume the content in full. For those who enhance their visuals before posting, using picture filters can help maintain a professional and aesthetic look.

Recommended Sizes for Instagram Content in 2025

• Feed posts. The recommended ratio for feed posts is 4:5, with a size of 1080 x 1350 px.

• Reels. For Reels, the 16:9 ratio applies with a recommended size of 1080 x 1920 px.

• Stories. Stories should follow the 16:9 ratio, with a size of 1080 x 1920 px.

3. Extended Reels Duration for More Creative Freedom

Instagram is also extending the length of Reels, and the new maximum duration is 3 minutes. This update follows user feedback, which asked for more time to make engaging, longer-form content that does not feel constricted. With this latest Instagram update, the creators will have more options for creating in-depth tutorials, storytelling, or just showing longer videos. Longer Reels mean more engagement for your audience and the opportunity to develop richer narratives within the single post frame.

4. Instagram Announces Edits: A Competitor to CapCut

Among the new changes to Instagram is a powerful video editing app called Edits, similar to CapCut. The idea behind this is to increase and enhance content creation with advanced editing tools right within the comforts of the Instagram ecosystem. This version will also support AI-powered filters, auto-generated subtitles, removal of backgrounds, and trendy audio overlays. 

For those looking to enhance their visuals even further, a photo editor for a mobile phone can complement Instagram’s editing features by providing professional-grade adjustments and effects. By the way, Edits will officially roll out starting March 13, 2025, for iOS, while a version for Android is expected soon.

5. Interaction on Reels: Friend Engagement Feature Restored

The good news is that Instagram has also returned, indicating which user’s friends liked or commented on Reels. This now updates social sharing, allowing friends to see all their interactions on shared things. The thought here is more social interaction, making socializing more available and encouraging interactive uses for users.

6. End of Third-Party Fact-Checking Program

Meta, the parent company of Instagram, announced its third-party fact-checking program would be going out of service in the U.S. It will cease its services on January 7, 2025. Instead, the app will develop a new system called “Community Notes.” Here, users will have the right to flag and give context to possibly misleading posts. This system is also rolled out on Elon Musk’s X, where the community contributes to fact-checking and context.

7. Highlights Moving to the Profile Grid

Instagram will add Highlights to the main profile grid, making the profile layout more streamlined and cohesive. Adding Highlights to the grid will grant users increased visibility and easier access to their featured Stories, which will be shown more prominently within their profiles. 

For those looking to enhance their visuals before featuring them in Highlights, an auto fix photo tool can help adjust lighting, colors, and sharpness effortlessly. This will improve the overall user experience, making Highlights more accessible to profile visitors.

8. New Algorithm Now Prioritizes Shares and Saves

According to Mosseri, likes and comments are no longer major engagement metrics. Instead, the platform now relies on shares and saves to determine the reach of the content. This shift is part of the latest Instagram releases to improve content visibility based on real user interactions.

To succeed with the new algorithms, create content that people want to share or save:

• Shareable content (relatable and engaging) – humor, insights, trending topics.

• Savable or valuable/informative content: checklists, tips, and carousel posts featuring useful information.

If you’re sharing visual content, such as panoramic images, you may also want to check out how to post a panorama on Instagram to ensure your photos are displayed properly.

9. New Message Filtering and Scheduling in Instagram Direct

Instagram is adding a new filter option for Direct Messages, which uses account types. This improvement in message organization also includes smarter spam detection algorithms.

Other significant updates to the app include allowing messages to be scheduled, letting users compose and send messages to friends or clients at a later time. For now, message scheduling will apply only to text messages. Photos, videos, and GIFs will still have to be sent immediately. These new changes upgrade communication, making the sending of Direct Messages much easier.

10. Removing Inactive Followers on Instagram

The app now allows users to remove inactive followers, including deactivated accounts and bots that negatively impact engagement statistics.

What to do

• If it’s not available yet, wait since it’s rolling out gradually.

• Once activated, review the flagged accounts to avoid removing actual followers.

Why it matters

Inactive followers decrease the rate of engagement because they never interact with your content. The algorithm of Instagram recognizes this as low interest and cuts down the reach of your posts, stories, and reels. Removing them can boost engagement and increase the chances of showing up in recommendations.

How Will This Affect Photographers?

For photographers, any new Instagram update holds both opportunities and challenges regarding shot creativity. Introducing longer reels gives them more creative flexibility, but it requires photographers to be aware of the latest changes on the platform. 

For example, moving to a rectangular profile grid may affect how creators frame their content for Instagram’s feed. At least that option to post high-quality pictures in their original aspect ratio nods in the right direction for those who take work integrity seriously.

Some creators have mixed feelings about the new format, but for many, it's a welcome change. Ukrainian photographer Lilia Kunytska shared her perspective:

“Not everyone loves Instagram’s new layout, but personally, I absolutely do! Now, photos appear in their full, uncropped format, and honestly, I think it looks much better. 

Plus, think about it—choosing cover images just got so much easier since more details fit into the frame. No more struggling with collages either! 

Honestly, I keep looking at my profile and can’t stop admiring it!”

Final Thoughts

What’s new on Instagram in 2025? The app is introducing fresh updates, emphasizing creation and interaction. The update in the profile grid supports rectangular photos, so posting will no longer require cropping an image. With the ability to remove inactive followers, your engagement will increase. 

Instagram also makes communication easier with features like message scheduling and smarter filters. For creators and photographers, these changes open up new creative possibilities. Keep your content fresh and original, and Instagram will reward you!