Instagram’s Grid Update Sparks Backlash from Creators: ‘Why Did You Do This?’

The app's shift from squares to vertical rectangles has users sounding off in the comments section.

A smartphone screen displaying the Instagram logo and text, with a blurred Instagram logo in the background.
Image via Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Instagram is going through some growing pains.

The popular photo and video sharing app rolled out a major change this week that replaces traditional square posts with vertical rectangles—and ruining perfectly curated grids along the way.

"I know some of you really like your squares. And square photos are sort of the heritage of Instagram," said Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, per Mashable. "But at this point, most of what’s uploaded, both photos and videos, are vertical in their orientation. And it just is a bummer to overly crop them. I know it's a change. I know it's a bit of a pain, but I think it's a transitional pain."

On Tuesday, Instagram’s official Creators account shared some updated guidelines for carousels, Reels, and Story posts. It became clear from the comments section that users aren’t thrilled with the switch-up.

Here are some of their reactions.

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