Instagram Changes! (Yet Again)
Instagram’s constant updates are starting to feel like the digital equivalent of rearranging furniture—unexpected, sometimes frustrating, but always something we have to adjust to. Their latest changes affect everything from the visual aesthetic of your feed to new features that could boost your nonprofit’s content strategy. Let’s break down the most impactful changes, including aspect ratio shifts, the new editing app, and mysterious follow suggestions.
Why the Shift?
In response to TikTok's dominance and ongoing discussions about potential bans, platforms like Instagram have leaned heavily into video and visual-first formats to stay competitive. This focus has driven Instagram to evolve its feed structure, including experimenting with taller post formats to better showcase video content and photos alike.
The platform's changes along with other platforms prioritizing video, aim to capture users' attention with bolder visuals, but they come with some growing pains for content creators, especially small nonprofits that depend on cohesive aesthetics.
The Latest Changes
Feed Aspect Ratio Shifts
Instagram has once again changed the aspect ratio for photo uploads, and not everyone is thrilled about it. This update disrupts the visual flow of your feed, making it harder to maintain a cohesive aesthetic—something small nonprofits rely on to communicate their brand clearly.
The new "tall grid" view shows posts as rectangles, potentially cutting off important visuals or text. Instagram responded to user backlash by giving us the option to choose between this rectangular grid and the traditional square grid.
Since Instagram rolls out these changes in stages, it might take a while for all accounts to receive the update. If you’re struggling with sizing your photos and videos, check out this helpful sizing guide to make sure your posts look their best.
New Video Creation App: Edits
Meta recently launched Edits, a standalone mobile video editing app, with powerful features like:
Capturing videos up to 10 minutes long
Storing drafts for future editing
Editing with a playback timeline
Discovering trending audio and creative inspiration
Recording in higher quality
Accessing video analytics
Edits is similar to CapCut but offers free AI-powered video editing—something CapCut reserves for paid users. With the ever-changing social media landscape, this app’s release is clearly timed to challenge TikTok and CapCut, especially given the uncertainty around TikTok’s future in the U.S.
If your organization has held off on posting video content due to the lack of in-house editing skills, Edits might be a game-changer. Its intuitive tools and AI features lower the barrier to entry, allowing nonprofits to create high-quality video content without needing extensive technical expertise.
3-Minute Reels
One of the most exciting updates for nonprofits is the ability to upload Reels up to 3 minutes long. Instagram head Adam Mosseri shared that the platform had heard feedback about how 90 seconds wasn’t enough for users who want to share longer, more meaningful stories.
While this update gives you more flexibility to showcase your nonprofit’s work, feature community voices, or provide deeper context, it's still crucial to keep your storytelling concise and impactful. Attention spans on social media remain short, so consider using this extra time strategically for compelling narratives that hook your audience early and keep them engaged.
Multiple Links in Bio
No more relying on third-party tools like LinkTree! You can now add multiple links to your Instagram bio, which is great for directing followers to donation pages, event sign-ups, volunteer forms, and more. This small but significant change makes it easier for followers to access everything they need from your profile.
To add links, simply go to “Edit Profile,” tap “Links,” and then “Add External Link.” You can even drag and drop to arrange them in your preferred order.
Schedule Posts Directly Within the App
Post scheduling within Instagram is finally here, which means you no longer need third-party tools to schedule your content. This update is a significant win for small teams, as it saves time and simplifies content planning. With this feature, you can plan your nonprofit’s content in advance, ensuring a consistent presence even on your busiest days.
Follows You Didn’t Ask For
For years, users on forums like Reddit and Instagram have reported following accounts they didn’t approve. This issue spiked during Donald Trump’s inauguration, with many users claiming they had mysteriously followed his account. While there’s no solid evidence to confirm this is happening on a large scale, it’s still something to keep an eye on.
If you’re managing a nonprofit account, unexpected follows could potentially hurt your organization’s image or create confusion. Make sure to regularly check your follow list to ensure everything aligns with your nonprofit’s brand and values.
That’s All For Now
Instagram is definitely taking some cues from TikTok with these new updates—longer Reels, rectangular feeds, and even a standalone editing app. As a small nonprofit, it’s essential to stay on top of these changes, especially with the ongoing uncertainty around TikTok’s future. If TikTok continues to face potential bans, Instagram and other social platforms are likely to keep innovating to stay competitive.
By keeping up with these new features and functions, you can adapt quickly and maintain a strong presence on the platform, helping your nonprofit reach more supporters and share its mission effectively. To stay ahead of the latest social media trends, be sure to subscribe to our email newsletter for updates on any new platform changes, tips, and insights delivered straight to your inbox.