And a short, vague Facebook update too…
Big changes are coming to Instagram—again. From a brand-new video editing app to longer Reels and profile tweaks, Instagram is keeping us on our toes. Whether these updates excite you or make you roll your eyes (RIP square grid 😢), they’re happening, and it’s always best to stay ahead of the curve. Let’s break down what’s new and how it might impact your social media strategy.
Reels Updates
“Edits” – the new Instagram video editing app is expected to be released on March 13, 2025. The app is expected to be a competitor (and possible replacement) to CapCap, which you may recall is owned by ByteDance and may be banned in the U.S. if not sold to an American company.
Also in Reels news, reels can now be 3 minutes long. Will you be making longer reels? I could, I LOVE to talk, but attention spans are still short among many users, so if you decide to go for longer, be sure to have captivating, and engaging content to keep users watching.
Instagram Profile Updates
Instagram isn’t done moving things around on your profile, but is giving you tools to adjust. Many users, if not all, have now seen the new 4:5 ratio Instagram grid, laters squares…I miss the squares, but I digress. You can, and I would only suggest this for your most recent posts and pinned post, change your thumbnail. Go to any post, click the 3 dots, and click “Adjust preview.” This will allow you to move and zoom in to create a better fitting thumbnail.
But please don’t waste your precious time doing this will ALL of your posts. Everyone’s stuff is changing, your followers will understand. And soon, highlights will be moving from your profile into a new tab. Analytics have shown the feature doesn’t get high usage, so they are being moved to make more room. It’s also been said that soon you will be able to rearrange your grid. Personally, I don’t think I will be using that feature.
Cryptic and Vague Facebook Update
On Jan. 29, Mark Zuckerberg had a lengthy post regarding Meta’s quarterly earnings. In it he talks about Facebook: “Facebook is used by more than 3 billion monthly actives and we’re focused on growing its cultural influence. I’m excited this year to get back to some OG Facebook.” Unfortunately, he doesn’t go into more detail about what OG Facebook means, obviously it’s not being open to college students only. When I hear things like this, I go back to his statements from 2018 of keeping the “social” in social media, which means thoughtful and meaningful interactions, not posting and ghosting or scrolling and dumping likes and hearts with no context. We will have to wait and see on that one I guess.
Social media is always evolving, and whether it’s new tools, shifting algorithms, or the ever-mysterious OG Facebook tease from Zuck, the best thing you can do is stay informed and adapt. But don’t stress—your audience follows you for a reason, and no update can replace the value of authentic engagement. If you feel overwhelmed, and honestly, isn’t that so easy with social media, feel free to reach out to me to discuss how Pink Sheep Co. can help relieve that overwhelm so you can focus on other areas of your business.
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