Latest Instagram Update 2025: What Every Social Media Marketer Needs to Know

Instagram is always changing, and let’s be honest—keeping up can feel like a full-time job. One day, you’re trying to figure out reels, and the next, Instagram throws in a new update that changes everything. For businesses, influencers, and social media marketers, these changes can be exciting but also overwhelming.

If you’re looking for a leading Dubai social media agency to help you navigate these updates, you’re in the right place. We’ve done the heavy lifting for you and broken down the latest Instagram updates for 2025. Let’s dive in!

Short videos are fun, but sometimes you need just a little more time to tell your story. Here’s the good news: Instagram now lets you upload 3-minute-long reels. This is a game-changer for brands and creators who want to share more detailed tutorials, behind-the-scenes content, or mini vlogs without rushing.

How This Helps You:

• More time means better storytelling.
• Great for educational content, product demos, and Q&A sessions.
• Keeps your audience engaged longer, which is great for the Instagram algorithm.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using 3-Minute Reels:

1. Open Instagram and go to the Reels section.
2. Click on the ‘+’ button to create a new Reel.
3. Record or upload your video up to 3 minutes long.
4. Edit, add music, captions, hashtags and effects.
5. Click ‘Next’ and write a caption.
6. Choose your cover image and share your Reel.

Say goodbye to the classic square Instagram grid. Instagram is testing a rectangular profile grid, which means your posts will now appear in a 4:5 aspect ratio instead of perfect squares. This might take some getting used to, but it gives users more creative space.

Why This Matters:

• Your photos will take up more screen space, making them more eye-catching.
• This means no more awkward cropping—your full portrait shots will fit naturally.
• Brands and influencers will need to rethink how they design their profile aesthetic.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Rectangular Profile Grid:

1. Update your Instagram app to the latest version.
2. Open your profile to check if the grid has changed.
3. Upload portrait-style images to optimize for the new grid.
4. Arrange your feed to create an engaging aesthetic.

We’ve all been there—you post a Reel, and it doesn’t perform as well as you’d hoped. Instagram Trial Reels lets you test your content before making it public. This means you can see how your video is likely to perform before posting it for real.

Why You’ll Love This:

• Helps businesses test different styles and see what works best.
• Avoids posting flops and increases your chances of engagement.
• Gives you insights on what tweaks to make before going live.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Instagram Trial Reels:

1. Open the Reels section on Instagram.
2. Select ‘Trial Reel’ before publishing your content.
3. Upload your video and choose a target audience for testing.
4. Monitor engagement analytics.
5. Adjust your content based on the trial results before posting officially.

Before, the only way to interact with a Story was to reply via DM or react with an emoji. Now, Instagram allows you to comment on Instagram Stories just like a regular post.

Why This is a Big Deal:

• Better engagement – More comments mean better interactions.
• No more cluttered DMs—comments will appear directly on the Story.
• Brands can get quick feedback on their Story content.

Step-by-Step Guide to Commenting on Stories:

1. Open an Instagram Story.
2. Look for the new comment box at the bottom.
3. Type your comment and hit send!
4. Engage with other users’ comments on Stories.

If you love Instagram carousels, you’ll be thrilled about this update! You can now add up to 20 slides in a single carousel post (previously limited to 10). This is a game-changer for storytelling and educational content.

How This Helps You:

• More space for detailed guides, storytelling, and product showcases.
• Great for brands that want to share step-by-step tutorials.
• Allows for deeper engagement with swipe-through content.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating 20-Slide Carousels:

1. Click the ‘+’ button to create a new post.
2. Select ‘Carousel’ and choose up to 20 images or videos.
3. Edit, crop, and arrange your slides.
4. Add captions and tags.
5. Publish and track engagement.

Ever sent a message on Instagram and immediately regretted a typo? Now, you can edit your Instagram DMs even after sending them!

Why This is Amazing:

• No more embarrassing typos.
• Saves time from having to delete and retype messages.
• Great for businesses handling customer inquiries via Instagram.

Step-by-Step Guide to Editing DMs:

1. Open Instagram DMs.
2. Long press the message you want to edit.
3. Tap ‘Edit Message’ and make your changes.
4. Save and send the updated message.

Finally! Instagram now allows users to zoom in on profile pictures. This small but mighty update means you can get a closer look at accounts before following them.

Why This Matters:

• Helps brands and influencers make a great first impression.
• Users can check for authenticity before engaging with an account.
• No more blurry profile pics—time to upgrade your DP!

Step-by-Step Guide to Zooming In on Profile Pictures:

1. Visit any profile on Instagram.
2. Tap and hold the profile picture.
3. Pinch to zoom in and view details.

Instagram is constantly evolving to keep users engaged, and these updates prove that they’re focusing on better storytelling, improved interaction, and smarter content testing. Whether you have a verified account or a non-verified account, these features will help you create better content, connect with your audience, and improve your Instagram game.

Want to make the most of these Instagram updates? Partner with a leading Dubai social media agency like DigitalFarm. We’ll help you stay ahead of the trends, create winning strategies, and grow your brand on Instagram and beyond.

2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Instagram users! With longer Reels, expanded carousels, Story comments, and better DM features, there’s never been a better time to level up your Instagram strategy. Whether you’re a business or a content creator, these updates will help you engage your audience in bigger and better ways.