What Changed on Instagram this Month (and How It Affects You)
Here’s what really matters from Instagram’s latest updates.
Welcome to your end-of-March Instagram rundown! Below we break down what changed, why it matters, and how these updates impact businesses, marketers, and creators.
Plus, stick around for What to Post This Week – fresh Reel trends and content ideas to keep your Instagram game strong. Let’s dive in!
Reels at Double-Speed – Blink and You’ll Miss It
What’s new: You can now watch Reels at 2x speed. Instagram rolled out a much-requested playback option, letting users view short video clips in double-time. Considering Reels were only up to 90 seconds before, this might seem overkill – but since IG extended Reels to 3 minutes in January, some clips do run long.
Why it matters: For viewers, it’s a handy way to zip through content (great for quick product demos or tutorials). For creators and marketers, it means your engaging content might get consumed even faster – so make those first few seconds count (they might speed through the rest!). If people choose 2x, it’s a sign they’re eager to see your point – or perhaps that your Reel’s a tad slow. Either way, it’s a cue to keep content snappy. (On the bright side, double-speed views still count as views!)
Re-Posts in the Feed – Instagram’s “Retweet” Moment
What’s new: Instagram is testing a repost feature that could amplify content reach. According to an updated IG Help Center note (spotted by advisor Sarah Roizman), when you repost someone’s content, your followers may now see that repost in their main feed. In other words, resharing a post or Reel isn’t just for your profile; it can surface for others like a regular post.
Why it matters: This is a small tweak with big implications. It basically brings a Twitter-style retweet dynamic into IG. For marketers and creators, it opens up new engagement strategies – you can reshare fan content, testimonials, or collab posts and actually get them seen by your followers (not buried in your Stories or a hidden tab). It’s a chance to amplify community content and partner posts, increasing reach without creating something from scratch. Just use responsibly – your followers might see everything you boost, so keep it on-brand (no pressure 😅).
No More Notes on Posts – Decluttering the Feed
What’s new: In a surprise spring cleaning move, Instagram is removing the option to add text Notes to feed posts and Reels. This feature (launched back in July 2024) let users add a little notepad-style text blurb attached to their posts. It never really took off – and now it’s getting the axe. Adam Mosseri admitted it “didn’t resonate with users” and added clutter to an already feature-packed app. Text Notes will remain in the DM inbox (those short status notes you share with friends), but not on main feed posts/Reels.
Why it matters: If you’re wondering “Wait, what were feed Notes?” – exactly. Most users and creators barely noticed or used them. IG cutting a feature is actually good news here: a cleaner interface and one less thing to confuse your audience. Marketers can focus on captions, comments, and stickers for engagement without worrying they’re missing some obscure Note tool. It’s a sign Instagram is willing to trim the fat to keep core experiences strong (and maybe an admission that not every TikTok-inspired idea works on IG). Sometimes less is more!
That wraps up the major updates from March. Instagram is clearly tuning its platform for faster content, more sharing, easier creation, and (mercifully) a cleaner experience. Now, how do you capitalize on all this? Let’s shift to what you should be posting to ride these trends and tools…
THIS WEEK: Dessert Love, Unexpected Facts & What’s Inside?
HOP ON THESE TRENDS:
Ready to turn these updates into actionable content? In this section (exclusive for our paid subscribers 😉), we’ve got you covered with current Reels trends to try now and a toolkit of content ideas to build your own winning Reels. Let’s boost your reach and creativity for the week ahead!
🔥 Top 3 Trending Reels (and How to Use Them)
These Instagram Reel trends are hot right now (late March 2025). For each trend, we explain what it is, how to shoot it, ideas for on-screen text, and the trending audio you’ll need. Steal these for your brand or niche and give them your own twist:
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