Welcome to another exciting year! 👋 Undoubtedly, 2025 promises a dynamic year with some fantastic opportunities. To thrive on Instagram and the social media field in general, preparation is key!
Keeping up with Instagram trends is no joke! Turn your head just for a few seconds and you might miss it. So we are here once again to give you the latest updates and newest trends to stay on top of your game. ✨
Table of Contents
1. Instagram is No Longer Square
Intagram’s grid layout has switched from square to a taller version. This will affect how people view your content and how you should create content.
Old Size/Ratio: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1 ratio)
New Size/Ratio: 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5 ratio)
What this means for you and/or your brand is:
- Bigger, Bolder Posts: Taller posts are more likely to be noticed by your audience!
- A New, Fresh Look: 2025 is all about portrait!
- Better Storytelling: The added height gives you more room to get creative, whether you’re showing off a product, sharing an infographic, or crafting a carousel.
Now is the time to stop posting square content and start posting 4:5 content.
2. Add Music to Your Profile 🎶
A little MySpace flashback for all millennials including myself 😂 You can now add music to your profile. Play around with this feature and really take advantage of it for your business account!
3. Adding Color of the Year to Your Posts
The color of the year is not only for fashion or home decor purposes! Use it to dress up your Instagram too! Definitely a shade you want to add to your designs this season along with burgundy, red, and yellow!
4. Bigger Carrousels
You can now add 20-image long carousels! This is a great tool for storytelling if you are a brand or use it as a photo dump if you are a content creator!
🔥Check out how you can take advantage of Placeit Bundles and build your Instagram carousels in just a few clicks!
5. Fashion With Purpose: Playful and Eco-Conscious
It’s no surprise that this is our first trend to discuss. Since last year, we’ve observed how people are seeking ways to look amazingly good while also being eco-conscious about their fashion choices.
- We’ll witness vintage and thrifting heirloom apparel making its way into people's closets, but with a unique, modest twist adapted (DIY) to their personal style/aesthetics.
- Additionally, the new generations are embracing the concept of buying fewer clothes to fight consumerism, favoring second-hand items and supporting local businesses. This trend presents a golden opportunity for small business owners in the apparel and fashion industry. The key is to be active on Instagram, promoting this lifestyle, as it remains one of the favorite platforms for the younger generation to shop online.
🌈 Learn more about the 6 Must-Have Instagram Tools for T-Shirt Sellers
6. Instagram Subscriptions
Instagram Subscription is a great way to monetize your channel as a content creator. You would have to offer exclusive content and promos for your followers and an exclusive subscribers chat!
Check out if this feature is available for your country here.
✨ Also, there are plenty of other great ways to make money from your Instagram!
7. Reply Reels
Just as it sounds, this is replying to a comment section with a reel! Why do it? Instagram has been experimenting since last year with new ways creators and brands can interact and engage with their following. Keep track of what works best for you!
8. Instagram Story Stickers
You can try different stickers on your stories to innovate. The success behind stickers is all about finding your own style and experimenting. It’s simply a new way to customize your brand’s voice!
What Else Can You Do?
Use a Trending Audio
Using trending audio on your reels or stories can help it get more viewers due to Instagram’s algorithm, similar to how it works on TikTok. To search for trending audio use Instagram reels search.
Add a Note to Your Post
Instagram notes are short text that appear on a post for three days and are visible only to your friends (followers that you follow back). This may favor your post for Instagram’s algorithm. And since notes are only available for friends it gives a sense of exclusivity.
Memes are Hot as Ever
Use memes, and video memes, ONLY in case this goes with your brand’s voice. These give your brand a fun and human touch.
Quiet Advertising
Create ads that don’t look like ads and blend perfectly into the feed. Keeps ou brand with an authentic look.
Use Relevant Hashtags #
If you are a brand, and you haven’t done this before, create your own hashtag for the love of god! Also:
- Keep track of your hashtag performance
- Check for hashtags on the Explorer page
- Use a social listening tool
- Follow relevant hashtags or hashtags you might be interested in.
- Check out which hashtags your competition is using.
Soon to Come 🔜
“Edits” will be the new mobile editing software by Instagram. You will have the ability to:
- Capture video up to 10 minutes, and store drafts all in one place for easy project management
- A timeline control, including clip-level editing, auto-enhance features, and effects like green screen, overlays, and transitions
- A dedicated tab for inspiration, including trending audio insights, and a real-time
- Record in higher quality, including HDR, 1080p, etc.
- Access to analytics to assess your content performance
- Share drafts with friends and other creators from the app
Wrapping It Up
⚠️ Pro Tip: Before applying any of these trends to your brand, keep in mind your brand values and use ONLY those that go hand in hand with them.
So, tell us what you thought of these trends and which was your favorite. Did you see them coming? Also, before you leave, make sure to keep yourself always updated with the latest social media trends and design trends! Visit Placeit by Envato to find all the Instagram graphics you need to shine online.
