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Instagram in 2025: 6 Must-Know Updates to Keep Your Brand Ahead

Muskan Dewani

Updated: Jan 29

The ever-evolving world of social media keeps marketers on their toes, and Instagram’s latest updates for 2025 are no exception. These new tools and layout tweaks could completely change how your brand connects with its audience. Let’s dive into five upcoming features and how you can prepare to make the most of them.


1. Say Hello To 4:5 Ratio Profile Grids




The days of Instagram’s iconic square grid are fading. Profiles are shifting to a taller 4:5 format, meaning your posts will now appear in 1080x1350px dimensions. While older 1:1 posts will auto-adjust with a zoom feature, it’s not ideal for text-based graphics or complicated designs.


What you can do-

Update your design templates to prioritize the 4:5 ratio moving forward. Revisit important past posts with text-heavy layouts and resize them for better visibility.



2. Trial Reels: Test Without Commitments



A new Trial Reels feature is here to let you experiment with content without showing it to your current followers. These Reels will be visible to non-followers, offering a great opportunity to test creative ideas or promote your profile organically. Creators have already seen success by reposting their best-performing Reels to attract new audiences.


How to use it:

Begin by sharing your top Reels as Trial Reels and monitor their performance. Use this space to experiment with different video styles, lengths, and tones to gather insights. You can think of this as a free way to advertise your brand to fresh eyes.



3. Add Music to Your Profile

Music is back! Instagram is giving you the option to add a 30-second music clip to your profile. It won’t auto play, but visitors can hit play to hear your selected tune, making it a subtle yet effective way to reflect your brand’s vibe.


Creative ideas:

Pick a song that resonates with your brand identity or a specific campaign. Update your music selection seasonally or to align with trends. Showcase a custom jingle if your brand has one.



4. Public Story Comments Are Here

Instagram is rolling out the ability for users to publicly comment on Stories. Unlike private DMs, these comments are visible to anyone viewing the Story, encouraging open engagement. Brands can enable this feature for all followers or restrict it to mutuals.


What to try:

Turn on Story comments for everyone if you want to encourage interaction. Use prompts like “What’s your opinion?” or “Share your thoughts” to spark conversations. Keep in mind the 60-character limit when crafting call-to-action prompts.



5. Story Highlights Relocating

Instagram may be moving Highlights to a dedicated tab, pushing them off the main profile grid. The goal of this change is to prioritize more visible content at the top of profiles but could make your key Highlights less visible.


How to adapt:

Convert important Highlights into pinned posts or Carousels for better visibility. Create a pinned graphic with a clear callout, like “Check out our Highlights,” using arrows to direct users to the tab. Ensure your most valuable content remains accessible and visible.



6. Expanded Reels With Longer Format-



Instagram is launching new features to enhance creative possibilities for reels. There’s talk of an upcoming app called ‘Edits’ which will offer advanced editing tools, auto-enhance features, effects, overlays, transitions, and the ability to export without watermarks. Additionally, creators in the U.S. can now publish reels up to 3 minutes long, increasing storytelling potential.


What to try-

Use these tools to create longer, visually captivating reels that tell your brand’s story in more detail. Experiment with custom audio mixes and overlays to make your content sound creative and luxurious.



Stay Ahead of the Curve

Social media changes can be intimidating, but they also offer new opportunities to connect with your audience. By adapting to these updates early, you can position your brand for success in 2025.


Need expert guidance? Our team is here to help you navigate these updates and craft a social strategy that drives results. Let’s turn Instagram’s evolution into your competitive advantage.


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