Instagram has unveiled two major updates to its platform: increasing the maximum length of Reels to three minutes and introducing vertical profile grids. The announcements were made by Instagram head Adam Mosseri, saying the updates were made in response to user needs and feedback.

Reels Duration Increased to Three Minutes

Previously capped at 90 seconds, Instagram’s Reels can now extend up to three minutes. Mosseri explained that the decision was driven by creators who felt constrained by the 90-second limit.

This update contrasts with Mosseri’s earlier stance in July 2023, when he emphasized Instagram’s focus on shorter videos to preserve its identity as a platform for connecting people with friends.

The timing of this change is notable as TikTok faces a suspension of its U.S. operations due to a federal ban. TikTok, known for its short-form content, introduced three-minute videos in 2021 and later extended the limit to 60 minutes.

Vertical Profile Grids to Improve Visual Layout

Instagram is also overhauling its profile page layout by replacing the traditional square grid with a vertical format. According to Mosseri, the move addresses frustrations with cropped vertical content, aiming to enhance the user experience.

“The goal is a simpler, cleaner place that maintains, and even increases, creator control,” Mosseri wrote on Instagram. “We started with the tall grid because most photos and videos that are uploaded to Instagram at this point are vertical and rectangles do a better job showing off those photos and videos…”

Launch of Standalone Video Editing App: “Edits”

To complement these updates, Instagram is expanding its video editing capabilities with a new standalone app called “Edits.” Scheduled for release on March 13 and now available for pre-order on Apple’s App Store, the app aims to provide creators with advanced tools outside the main Instagram platform.

Instagram’s updates come amid rising competition in the short-form video space. YouTube Shorts increased its video length to three minutes in October 2024, though both platforms still trail TikTok’s 60-minute limit.

Following Meta’s recent changes to its content moderation policies, however, Instagram competitor Pixelfed experienced a significant surge in traffic. The platform gained 11,000 new users within 24 hours, boosting its total shared content to over 78,000 posts. 

Meta temporarily blocked links to pixelfed.social on Facebook, citing “Community Standards on Spam.” A company spokesperson subsequently said the block was “unintentional,” assuring that affected posts would be restored.