Remember when Instagram was just about square photos and basic filters? Those days are long gone!

Instagram has transformed into a platform with features that can make or break your social media strategy. Every year, it rolls out new algorithm updates that brands should be aware of.

Struggling to keep up with all the changes? Don’t worry!

This article simplifies the key Instagram updates of 2025. We’ll show you exactly what’s new and how to use these changes in your social media strategy.

Auto-Replies and Quick Actions on Instagram DMs

Source: Freepik

Managing DMs just got less tedious. Instagram now allows business accounts to set up auto-replies based on keywords. Get a lot of “How much is this?” messages? Set an automated response with pricing details.

Here are the other DM-related features:

• Cross the language barrier using Instagram’s new message translation feature

• Schedule messages in DMs or schedule reminders to stay on top of daily tasks

• Pin up to three chat threads in your DM inbox to find important conversations

• Stick important info at the top where everyone can see it (FAQs and important announcements)

Trial Reels for Your Non-Followers

Instagram is rolling out trial reels, a feature that lets you test content visibility with non-followers before fully publishing.

Think of it like a soft launch for Reels. You get to see how a piece of content performs with a random audience segment before pushing it live. To share a reel as a trial, follow these simple steps:

1. Create a reel as you usually do.

2. Turn on the "Trial" toggle before sharing.

3. The reel will then be shared with a select group of non-followers based on Instagram's algorithm.

4. You can check how it's performing in terms of views, likes, comments, and shares after approximately 24 hours.

5. If it performs well in the trial, you have the option to share the reel with your followers.

6. Once it’s shared with everyone, the reel will live on your profile grid.

For marketers like you, this is huge. You’ll get early insights into whether a reel will flop or fly before boosting it.

Testing Begins for Community Notes

In January, Meta announced that they would move to a crowd-sourced Community Notes approach, starting in the United States.

They are testing “Community Notes” by letting regular users add context or fact-check viral posts. If you've used X (formerly Twitter), you'll recognize this feature immediately.

Community Notes will be available across Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. This feature will have a limit of 500 characters and will need to include a link to support the note.

For starters, notes won't have author names next to them. Meta won’t decide what gets rated or written – contributors from the community will. To avoid bias, notes won't be released until contributors with various viewpoints agree on them.

According to Meta, the Community Notes will be less biased than the third-party fact-checking program. As soon as Notes go live to the public, no new fact-check labels will appear in the United States.

Broadcast Channel Updates

One of the best ways for creators to connect with their audience directly is through broadcast channels. Every month, creators and their followers exchange more than 1.5 billion messages on broadcast channels.

Until recently, followers of a broadcast channel could only participate by liking and reacting to messages. Instagram is introducing more interactive tools to boost engagement. Here’s what’s new in broadcast channels:

• Pinned Replies: Highlight key responses on your posts to drive conversations.

• Prompt Stickers: Kickstart conversations in your channel with Q&As and daily check-ins.

• Advanced Insights: Understand what’s working and get helpful tips to meet your goals.

For brands and creators, this means more ways to interact with audiences and keep them engaged beyond likes and shares.

New Instagram Grid Layout

Say goodbye to the rigid 3x3 grid!

Instead of the classic 1080 x 1080 square we've been using, Instagram is stretching the grid preview to a 4:5 ratio (1080 x 1350 pixels). Basically, your posts now look taller and more vertical in your profile grid.

Everything on Instagram has been moving toward vertical formats – Stories, Reels, even regular feed posts. Most of us scroll with our phones held vertically anyway, so why not use more of that screen space?

Here's what the new dimensions look like:

For regular posts and carousels:

• Feed size: 1080 x 1350 px (4:5)

• Grid preview: 1080 x 1350 px (4:5)

For Reels:

• Feed size: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)

• Grid preview: 1080 x 1440 px (3:4)

Older square posts might get slightly cropped in the grid preview, but you'll still see the entire image when someone taps on it. If you've been posting in a 4:5 vertical format already, this actually makes your grid look more cohesive.

Reels Extended to 3 Minutes

Previously, Reels were capped at 90 seconds until Instagram increased the length of video uploads in January 2025. You can now post Reels up to three minutes long, giving you more flexibility for storytelling, tutorials, and deep-dive content.

This update positions Instagram to compete more directly with YouTube Shorts and TikTok’s longer videos. But with more time comes a challenge – keeping viewers engaged for the entire duration. Hooking your audience in the first few seconds is more important than ever.

Instagram’s Future: Where’s It Heading?

With every update, Instagram is shifting further into automation, AI, and real-time engagement. For social media managers, that means adapting fast. The key takeaways from this year’s updates?

• AI will play a bigger role in content strategy.

• Timing is regaining importance with the semi-chronological feed.

• Stories and DMs are becoming more manageable.

• Instagram’s algorithm favors Reels in terms of reach and visibility.

• The new rectangle grid changes how visuals are displayed.

So, should you change how you manage Instagram? Probably. But the good news? With tools like Loopify, adapting to these changes won’t be as painful as it seems.

With Instagram’s evolving landscape, having a user-friendly and flexible tool like Loopify ensures you stay ahead without drowning in manual tasks.

Try it today and streamline your social media workflow effortlessly!