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The Square grid is being tested with a small group of Instagram users
Instagram is back testing new random design changes for its grid which is likely to irk users who have relied on a familiar format.
Instagram has been changing things on multiple fronts recently and now the platform is testing a major grid refresh that will give a new look to your Insta feed. The details of the UI change has been mentioned in a report by The Verge, where an Instagram spokesperson has been quoted confirming the development, albeit at a small scale for now.
The report claims Instagram is testing the new vertical grid with a small group of users and the change will only be offered on the public version after hearing what the users have to say about this new layout.
In fact, Adam Mosseri, CEO, Instagram has also commented on the new test and the supposed changes that are being tried out probably because the ratio and format of the content has evolved.
He claims the platform is trying out the square format once again, which he feels might irk some of the existing users who have built their profile on the existing layout. He even points out that a large chunk of Instagram users are posting photos in 4:3 ratio or 16:9 for videos, and he realises that cropping them to square (1:1) ratio is pretty brutal.
Instagram is definitely going to take public feedback rather than shove the new layout without any prior notice which many will appreciate from Mosseri and Co. Having said that, it is vital that Instagram engages with its users further before even testing such changes, which may or may not get the full vote of confidence.
This isn’t the first time Mosseri has talked about testing a major design change for the platform. He had talked about making Instagram more tuned to videos and giving photos a less priority. That time, the changes didn’t get the right response, so Instagram had to stick with its existing UI layout and we are hoping that the square grid test also goes the same way.
