Since its launch way-back-when in 2010, Instagram still continues to be one of the world’s top social media platforms for brand promotion and engagement. Over the last 25 years since its launch, the platform has continued to evolve, which means staying on top of the latest Instagram updates is crucial for your marketing strategy.
As we’re firmly into 2025, this blog will share five key Instagram updates that you need to be aware of, so you can keep your social media presence strong and your audience engaged. Let’s get stuck in.
Your reels can now be 3 minutes long
One of the biggest and probably the most beneficial Instagram updates is the extension of reels. Going from 90 seconds to three minutes, this update allows businesses more time to create engaging and dynamic video content. With this extended reel duration, you can delve deeper into your content, allowing for greater creativity and storytelling.
For example, you could share more detailed tutorials of your products, in-depth behind the scenes content, or simply connect with your audience in a more immersive way. Whatever you choose to share, taking advantage of the longer reels is a great way to captivate your followers and keep them coming back to your page for more.
Profile grids are now rectangular
Instagram has updated the design of your profile grid, which now features a fresh, new rectangular look. The Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, said on Threads that the redesign reflects on how the majority of their users post vertical content and that this new design allows them to better showcase their photos and videos in a visually appealing way.
With this latest Instagram update, it allows for your profile to become more streamlined and organised and makes it easier for your followers to navigate through your posts. It also helps enhance the visual appeal of your profile and keeps your audience engaged with your content.
There will soon be a dedicated tab for Story highlights
Sticking with the theme of updating your profile, Instagram is currently testing adding a dedicated tab for Story highlights. Once displayed on your main profile as circular icons, these highlights will sit in its own section, with the aim to declutter profiles and enhance the visibility of new content posted.
When fully rolled out, this new feature will display Story highlights in a vertical format and allow businesses to showcase their most important moments and content in a more organised and easily accessible way. Ultimately, this will make finding and revisiting Stories effortless, which will enhance overall user experience.
Introducing: Instagram trial reels
A particularly exciting Instagram update is the introduction of trial reels. The thinking behind this feature is that you can mark a reel as a trial, which means your reel will only be shown to users who don’t follow you. When you utilise this feature, your reel won’t appear on your profile, or on your reels tab, essentially making it invisible to your followers.
This latest Instagram update is the perfect way to test the effectiveness of your content, and it’s particularly beneficial if you’re wanting to experiment with something like new branding or changes to your normal reel aesthetic and you want to gauge how it will be reciprocated.
You can no longer follow hashtags
One key Instagram update that came into effect mid-December 2024, is the ability to no longer follow hashtags. Instagram took the decision to not allow users to follow hashtags with a bid to tackle spam and irrelevant content that is often shown with trending hashtags.
Users can still search for hashtags on the Explore page, however Instagram’s aim is to shift away from hashtags being the primary tool for content discovery, and focus on using advanced algorithms to give users a more personalised experience
This latest Instagram update may come as a blow for some businesses who use personalised hashtags in their content, however in order to maintain your visibility on this platform, you should aim to create high-quality content and get into the habit of directly engaging with your audience on your posts.
Want more specialist social media advice?
Instagram is a platform that is constantly evolving, but we hope by sharing these key Instagram updates, it helps you keep on top of your game and enable you to engage with your audience better than ever before.
Social media will also continue to be a powerful tool in your digital marketing arsenal, but good social media management is key to growing your online presence and driving conversions. If you’re looking for professional social media management services, get in touch with us today. Our experts can help you unlock the full potential of your online brand presence and help drive remarkable results for your business.
