Hi Reader,
Big news from Instagram! Or should we say tall?
You'll want to tune in if you’ve meticulously curated your profile grid.
Instagram officially started rolling out its new vertical grid layout (announced last fall), and it’s a total game-changer for your profile.
But don’t panic.
This update isn’t the end of perfectly polished profiles.
It’s a chance to rethink how your social strategy serves your goals. 🤔
Here’s the breakdown:
What This Means for You
- Goodbye, Squares:
Instagram is ditching the classic 1:1 square thumbnails in favor of a taller 3:4 vertical grid. Their reasoning? Most users upload vertical content anyway.
- Design Posts in 4:5 Aspect Ratio:
Create and post your feed content in 4:5 (1080 x 1350)—not 3:4 (1015 x 1350) or 1:1 (1080 x 1080)! I’ve used this best-practice format for years since it takes up more screen space in the feed and draws more attention to your content.
- Post Directly to Grid:
Soon, you’ll have the option to upload content directly to your grid without the post appearing in your followers’ feeds. Perfect for those who favor curated, static grids.
- Pinned Banners + Static Grids Need a Rethink:
Banners and static grids can still be leveraged effectively, but seamless horizontal designs are a thing of the past because the new 3:4 thumbnail crops 32.5 pixels from either side.
How To Leverage This for Long-Term Strategy & Launches
I don’t spend a ton of time on Instagram these days. I focus my energy on sustainable strategies that work harder and last longer.
That’s why I’m planning a static 9-grid for my profile.
A static 9-grid (or a pinned banner) is one of my favorite ways to give your profile staying power on a platform where most posts disappear into the void after two seconds.
This month, I’ve been working on a super fun launch campaign for a client (can’t spill the tea just yet—it goes live in a few weeks!).
One of my recommendations was to update her pinned row to support her lead gen goals. I reworked the pinned row to highlight both her digital products AND her 1:1 services—helping guide new visitors toward her offers immediately.
Done right, this static strategy can:
- Attract leads who land on your profile for the first time.
- Guide followers down the funnel by highlighting services or offers.
- Ditch the daily grind of creating new content with a polished profile that's just as strategic.
Want to Make Your Next Launch a Success?
If you’re launching something soon—or want to refine your Instagram strategy to attract more leads—I’d love to chat about how I can help.
Whether you need a launch campaign or evergreen funnels, your marketing deserves a long-term strategy that actually converts.
Let’s make your next launch intentional, strategic, and stress-free.
Hit reply and tell me what you’re working on—I’d love to help!