Instagram Feed Update:
Instagram has updated its Feed placement to prioritize larger posts – specifically 1080×1350 pixels (4:5 ratio) – over the traditional square (1080×1080). This change enhances the visual impact of posts on users’ Instagram Feed.
However, Meta ads placements haven’t fully caught up yet. While Instagram Feed supports the new 1080×1350 or 1080×1440 format, many other ad placements (like Stories, Reels, & Facebook Feed) still default to formats like:
- 1:1 (square)
- 9:16 (vertical)
- 16:9 (landscape)
As a result, taller content may be resized, cropped, or displayed differently which can lead to:
- Inconsistent appearance across placements like Stories, Reels, and Feed
- Automatic cropping of taller content
- Important text or visuals getting cut off
Best Practice (For Now):
To ensure your ads look polished and perform effectively across all placements, here’s what we recommend:
1. Design with a “Safe Zone” in Mind
Keep key elements—like critical text, logos, and design elements, centered and away from the edges. This helps avoid them being cropped or covered by platform elements like:
- On Instagram Stories, profile names and CTA buttons often appear at the top and bottom
- On Facebook Feed, page name and engagement icons (like/comment/share) buttons may overlap parts of the image
- On Reels, interactive icons float on the right side of the screen
2. Continue Using Multiple Formats
Stick with 1080×1080 (square) & 1080×1920 (vertical) creatives for broad compatibility. However, consider adding 1080×1350 into your creative mix specifically for Instagram Feed placements, where it will look best & not have the potential of being resized.
Visual of “No Go Zones” on Varying Placements
This link breaks down the different “no go zones” and potential overlay areas across placements.
Questions?
If you’d like to better understand how this update affects your ads, our team would love to help. Contact our Senior Social Media Specialist Rachel to learn more about this new update.
