New Instagram Formats (2026): what this means for your brand

Instagram is constantly evolving. Formats are changing slightly, but the impact is real. This is not just a visual update. It’s a shift in how your content is seen, understood, and how it performs.

For brands and marketing teams, the message is simple: adapt or lose visibility.

Stories: visibility depends on details

The format stays the same: 1080 × 1920 px. But the real challenge lies elsewhere: in the visible areas.

Instagram’s interface hides part of the content at the top and bottom of the screen. And that’s often exactly where brands place their key messages.

Result:

• a call-to-action that’s barely visible

• a message that gets cut off

• a less effective campaign

Today, a good visual is no longer enough. It needs to be designed for the platform’s real interface.

Reels: high potential, but demanding

The format stays the same: 1080 × 1920 px. But the way Reels are displayed has changed.

What we’re seeing:

• different cropping in the feed

• more interface elements on screen

• smaller truly visible areas

Result: content can look perfect during editing, but lose readability once published.

From a marketing perspective:

• attention is lost faster

• the message is less clear

• performance drops

Reels remain the most powerful format today - but only if they are well designed.

Carousels: a high-potential format

The biggest change concerns carousels.

New dimensions:

• before: 1080 × 1350 px

• now: 1080 × 1440 px

This increase in height changes a lot. A taller post takes up more space in the feed, grabs more attention, and makes it easier to structure your message.

For brands, this opens up new opportunities:

• tell a more complete story

• guide the viewer’s eye more effectively

• increase engagement time

Key takeaways

Instagram is evolving toward a more user experience–driven approach.

Three key points:

1. Visibility comes first

   Content needs to be clear, quick to understand, and well positioned on screen.

2. Margins matter

   Designing edge-to-edge visuals is no longer enough. Safe zones are essential.

3. Format impacts performance

   The way you design your content has a direct impact on results.

Why many brands are missing the point

Many still:

• focus only on dimensions (1080 × 1920)

• prioritize aesthetics over function

• ignore real display constraints

Result: visually appealing content that performs poorly.

How to make the most of it

To improve your results on Instagram:

• design your visuals based on how they actually appear on screen

• structure your message around visible areas

• take advantage of the new carousel format

• test and adjust regularly

Instagram is a performance tool

Today, Instagram is no longer just about visibility. It’s a growth driver.

Content that works:

• grabs attention quickly

• stays easy to read

• drives action

This requires a more strategic approach.

Need support

We see these changes every day with our clients. Small adjustments can lead to real results.

If you want to:

• improve your performance

• structure your content

• save time

We can support you, from strategy to production. Get in touch to discuss it.