Is it really going to happen?

Ok let’s talk about it. Is Instagram going to be 4 grids? Will they add a fourth column?

Tell me in the comments: What do you think about having 4 grids? Good or bad?

I’m going to tell you:

• Why 4 grids might actually be good (and bad)
• My theme designs with 4 columns
• Our forecast

Read: 7 Types of Instagram grid layouts designed with Preview App

Is the 4 grid layout going to be the next Instagram update?

Instagram has “tested” the 4 grid layout on some accounts already. However we are not sure if it’s really going to be a new update.

Should we be scared?

We all know how Instagram does it: they always randomly test on some big and small accounts first… before they release the update to everyone else.

That’s what happened for Insta Story links, Insta Story filters, Instagram slideshows and the Favorites feature – just to name a few.

Will it happen this time?

We’ll have to wait and see. Instagram has not released any information yet.

Why would they change to 4 Grids?

There are 4 reasons why we think having 4 grids might be a good idea:

1. Bigger screens

Our phone screens are getting bigger and bigger.
It might make sense to have more photos per row since there is more space on the screen.
It will take a little while to get used to it – but as usual, after a couple of weeks, we will get used to it.

2. Consume information fast

We can process information faster if there are more photos per row. Therefore consume more information on Instagram.

3. Scroll less

We will scroll less and scroll through images faster.

4. New feed designs

Think about it as a “Renaissance”, a rebirth of Instagram.

If Instagram really releases a fourth column, we’re excited to see what people are going to create.

We’re all going to feel very uncomfortable at first. We’ll all have to think outside the box if we want to maintain aesthetic feeds. That’s exciting!

Let’s imagine how our feeds would look like if there were 4 grids.

This is how my feeds would look like if I design it in my Preview App:

Tell me in the comments: What do you think? Does it look good? Is it bad?

I really like the result!

Note: We have not released the 4 grid layout in Preview yet. But if Instagram updates, we’re ready to update too.

I’m scared about this

Information overload.

Four columns are a lot of columns.
It means that we will be hit with 20 photos when we view someone’s profile.
Boom!
Can our brains handle that?

Four columns also mean that the photos will be much smaller in the grid. Therefore it will be harder to see what’s on the photo.

Having said that, it might not be that bad after all. Here’s what we think might happen:

Preview’s Forecast

This is what our team at Preview forecasts:

• Minimalist photos: Are minimalist photos going to take over Instagram to keep feeds clean?
• More engagement: Are the 4 columns and smaller images a way for Instagram to force us to open an image? So that we interact with the content more? More likes, comments and engagement overall if we have to open individual images more than before.
• Quality: Quality photos will be a priority. There won’t be room for low quality, hard to read content.
• Aesthetic rules: Sticking to aesthetic rules will be even more important if you want to make your feed looks clean and professional.

Will we fall in love with Instagram all over again?

Like our good old friend Socrates once said: “The secret of change is to focus all our energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new”.

Change always hurts.

But you know what?

We all have to deal with it.
So if Instagram really changes to 4 grids, let’s stay positive. Let’s take this as an opportunity to be even more creative and to build on the new.

What are your thoughts? What did you think about my feed designs with the 4 grids?