Instagram never stands still and 2025 is bringing exciting changes to your favorite social platform. Whether you’re a creator, business owner, or casual user, these fresh features are reshaping how we connect and create.
We’ll keep this guide current with monthly updates throughout 2025, ensuring you stay ahead of the game and know about everything that’s evolving on Instagram.
Ready to explore what’s new?
- January 2025
- February 2025
- March 2025 – Coming Soon
January
Vertical grid
Kicking off 2025 with one of Instagram’s biggest changes to date – the vertical grid. Love it or hate it, the new format is here to stay and honestly, we’re excited about a fresh new change on our favorite social media platform. Make sure you check out the Preview Blog to see more tips about adjusting to this new style and how you can utilize Preview to plan your best vertical grid yet.
Adjust preview
Coming along with the new vertical grid is the ability to adjust the thumbnail preview of your older posts! Just tap the three dots on a post, select Adjust Preview, and choose between fit or fill. If your image doesn’t fill the new 4:3 format, you can add a black or white background to keep your feed looking clean and cohesive.
New layout and colors
Instagram is updating profile layouts! Your name and bio will now appear centered, giving profiles a fresh, streamlined look. Plus, the action buttons (like “Follow” or “Message”) are getting a bold color makeover for better visibility.
AI comments
Instagram now lets Meta AI take the reins on commenting! Once you find a post you want to comment on, simply click the “magic wand” button and watch as AI crafts engaging, on-point responses. It’s a smart and easy way to boost interaction with your community and keep your comments fresh.
Post quietly to grid
You can now post quietly to your Instagram grid and bypass the feed. Just toggle on “Post quietly to profile” when uploading and your post will appear on your grid without notifying followers in their feeds. Perfect for curating your aesthetic or sharing personal moments without the pressure of instant engagement.
Business chats transparency
Instagram is enhancing transparency in business communications by introducing a “Business Chat” label at the top of DM conversations with companies. Additionally, a new “Business chats and your privacy” shortcut provides insights into how your information is utilized during these interactions.
DM translations
Instagram now lets you translate DMs instantly and connecting with people worldwide just got way easier! No need to copy and paste—just tap to translate messages right inside your chat.
New insights updates for Reels
Since Instagram changed how you track Reels performance with Views becoming the main metric, you’ll now also see View Rate and Watch Over Time, as well as other personalized insights. This new information will help you understand how people engage with your content, how often your posts are seen and how long viewers stick around!
AI info
Instagram now adds an “AI info” label to photos sent in DMs that have been created using AI. This helps users easily spot AI-generated content, keeping things transparent to ensure everyone knows what’s real and what’s AI-made!
3 minute Reels
Instagram is rolling out 3 minute Reels, giving creators even more time to showcase their content! Whether you’re telling a longer story or diving deeper into a topic, this update lets you engage your audience without feeling rushed – perfect for more detailed or creative videos.
Preview of next slide in carousel
Instagram’s latest update brings a handy feature for carousel posts – a preview of the next slide! This small change makes it easier for your community to swipe through and encourages more engagement with your content.
Edits app
Instagram has launched a new video editing app, Edits, to make content creation even easier! It offers powerful tools to edit your videos with more precision and creativity, helping you take your posts to the next level – perfect for creators or casual users looking for a seamless editing experience.
Reorder grid
Instagram is testing a profile grid editing feature to let you rearrange your grid posts. This gives you more control over how your content is displayed, making it easier to curate your grid and highlight specific images, especially after the vertical grid update. Currently, this is being tested with a select group of users, so keep an eye out to see if this new feature lands in your account.
Tip: Use Preview to plan and rearrange your Instagram posts before publishing, so you can see exactly how your feed will look – you’ll always have a cohesive, aesthetic feed that you love!
Dislike comments
Instagram is testing a dislike button for comments, showing up as a downward arrow similar to Reddit’s downvote feature. We’ll have to wait and see more about this feature when it comes to our accounts, but it’s definitely a unique new option!
Community notes
Meta is testing Community Notes on Instagram and Facebook, allowing users to write notes on posts they believe are misleading. These notes will be shown to others if they receive consensus from a group of contributors and your note will be anonymous if shared. This feature aims to combat misinformation through crowdsourced insights, although its effectiveness is still being evaluated.
Friends’ liked Reels
Instagram is rolling out Reels Friends Like, which shows you which of your friends have liked a specific Reel. Their profile pictures will appear in the top right corner of the video, making it easier to see what your friends are engaging with – a new fun way to spark conversations and connect over a shared love of content.
AI story images
You can now easily generate and share AI-created images directly in Stories! By selecting the “AI Images” option, you can either choose from a collection of AI-generated images or ask Meta AI to create a custom image based on your own unique prompt and description.
New Reels share button
Instagram is introducing a new Share Reel button that looks like a link icon rather than the “paper airplane” we’ve become used to. This makes it easier to share Reels by providing a simple, recognizable way to send them directly.
Reels insight and analysis
Instagram is giving users insights into why certain Reels are getting more attention with personalized stats like “Most views were longer than 3 seconds” or “69% of viewers watched for over 3 seconds.” You’ll also be able to view a section of “Why This Reel Stands Out” with extra info, tips, and options to create or save the Reel.
February
Suggested Reels
Kicking off February with Instagram’s new Suggested Reels feature that curates fresh, entertaining videos right on your home feed. Whether you’re into comedy, fitness, or trending moments, this personalized reel selection helps you discover content you’ll love – without the endless scrolling.
Follow button when scrolling in profile
Now, the Follow button on Instagram profiles follows you as you scroll, making it easier than ever to connect with your favorite creators. No more scrolling back to the top – just tap and follow whenever inspiration strikes!
Chat with AI characters
Instagram is rolling out a new feature that allows users to “Chat with AI characters.” This feature showcases AI-generated personas with unique profiles and conversation styles, offering a fun and interactive way to engage with AI directly within the app.
Whatsapp sticker for Stories
Instagram has officially rolled out the WhatsApp sticker for Stories, allowing users to seamlessly share their Instagram Stories directly to WhatsApp.
Meta AI enhancements
Meta has introduced new AI enhancements across its platforms, including features like summarizing unread DMs, advanced photo editing tools, and more. These updates aim to improve user experience by leveraging AI for greater convenience and creativity.
Share to Threads
Instagram has rolled out the ability to share posts directly to Threads from Instagram. This new feature allows users to seamlessly share content between the two platforms, enhancing cross-platform engagement and streamlining content sharing.
Meta AI icon for searches
A small new feature for February is Instagram’s new dedicated Meta AI icon that appears in your search history when performing a Meta AI search. This icon helps distinguish these AI-based searches from regular searches, like accounts or hashtags.
Shuffle follow suggestions
This simple new feature lets you shuffle your list of suggested accounts to follow, bringing a fresh and varied experience to the explore section. It’s a fun and easy way to mix things up and keep your feed suggestions exciting.
New “Like” animations and colors
Instagram has introduced new “Like” animations and colors, adding a fresh and dynamic touch to interactions. When you double-tap to like a post, you may see a variety of new colors (it changes each time you like a post) and a fun new effect on the iconic heart symbol.
AI tasks via DMs
Instagram is testing AI-powered tasks via DMs, allowing users to create tasks by long-pressing a message and selecting the “Task” option. This feature could help with setting reminders, generating to-do lists, or automating follow-ups – all within your chats.
Sponsored comments on partnership ads
Instagram has launched sponsored comments on partnership posts, enabling brands to promote testimonials directly in the comments. These paid comments help highlight positive experiences, build trust, and increase engagement in an effort to make branded content more impactful and “allow creators even more opportunities to earn through brand deals.”
Schedule DMs
Instagram’s schedule DMs feature, which was in testing last year, is now officially rolling out! Users can now schedule direct messages in advance, making it easier to plan conversations, reminders, and follow-ups without needing to send messages in real time. Perfect for businesses, creators, and anyone looking to automate in 2025.
DM enhancements
Instagram has introduced new DM enhancements, making messaging more convenient and interactive! Users can now pin chats to the top of 1:1 conversations for easy access, use a new music sticker to share songs in chats, and generate a QR code to invite people to a chat instantly.
Valentine’s Day DM and Story effects
Instagram has introduced Valentine’s Day DM and Story effects, themes, and stickers, bringing a festive and romantic touch to your chats and posts! From themed backgrounds to animated effects and cute stickers, you can even spread the love beyond February 14th – these features will be available after Valentine’s Day!
Community chats
Instagram is testing Community Chats, a new way for groups to connect in real-time. While details are still unclear, this feature could make it easier to chat and engage with a large group of friends in real-time directly in DMs.
Music playlists in chats
Instagram is also testing Music Playlists in Chats, allowing users to create playlists and share them directly within DMs. Friends in the chat will have access to the shared playlist, making it easy to listen, add songs, and enjoy music together – all without leaving Instagram.
Export chats
Another potential new feature arriving soon to Instagram is the ability to export DMs. We’ll wait to see exactly how this feature functions, but it seems a simple tap of a button will allow users to download and save their conversations.
New text fonts and effects
New text fonts and text effects may be landing in Instagram soon, giving users more ways to personalize their Stories and Reels. These new options include unique typography styles and animated text effects – check out some of the new styles in testing below!
Timed polls for Reels
Timed polls may be coming soon to Stories, allowing the poster to set a time limit on their poll. A small update, but a great way to spark quick reactions and real-time decisions!
Auto-label and crediting when reposting
Wrapping up February with new auto-labeling and crediting for reposts, ensuring original creators get proper recognition when their content is shared. Now, when you repost a photo or video, Instagram will automatically credit the original poster and keep their tag with the content.
That’s all for now!
That’s a wrap! Have any other updates or see any new features? Let us know and we’ll keep our list updated. Check back soon for more as features roll out!
