Instagram users outraged after app rolls out ‘ugliest update ever’ that's 'ruining' their accounts

Instagram's latest update hasn't exactly gone to plan, and it's left many users enraged at the changes with many considering it be the 'worst update ever'.

All things must come to an end unfortunately and that includes social media layouts too, yet many have still been left shocked and angered by the changes made to their Instagram profiles in the past week.

While the app has long-ditched the necessity for square format uploads, the profiles have remained a rigid grid for as long as we can remember - yet that consistency appears to have vanished before our eyes.

Instagram's latest stealth update has meant that profiles now display your posts in a vertically oriented manner on your feed now, as opposed to the squared-based format of yesteryear.

While this might seem like a novel change that could actually benefit most - as many predominantly post in that same format nowadays - many have argued that it's 'ruined' the curation of their feeds, especially with no prior warning from Meta.

Something that has become popular over the years is using individual posts like puzzle pieces to make a larger image on your overall profile feed.

ohmygod the new instagram update really ruined her account😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/FEsROWxEK2

— french fries luvr (@gawrriiii) January 18, 2025

This is used commonly for musical artists and promotional accounts, where an album cover or poster is revealed 'in full' through the joining of multiple posts, but it's also widely used across standard creative accounts too.

However, following the new update many have found that their meticulously created patchworks have been destroyed, leaving them with a feed that looks disjointed.

The general reaction beyond this hasn't been positive to say the least either.

One user on X (formerly Twitter) has declared: "Spent hours of my life making my Instagram feed look nice only for it to be RUINED by this new update @Instagram change it back NOW it's so ugly."

Spent hours of my life making my Instagram feed look nice only for it to be RUINED by this new update @instagram change it back NOW it’s so ugly

— Lois (@loisspencr) January 17, 2025

Another has added: "I am actually FURIOUS over the Instagram update. @Instagram FIX THIS. IT SUCKS. EVERYONE HATES IT."

Outside of the actual look, the thing that appears to have angered people the most is the lack of a heads up from Instagram that this was on its way.

With social media turning into a job for many now it's not far fetched to imagine someone's profile as an 'advertisement' of sorts that, when carefully maintained, can do a lot to increase their follower count.

When that's then messed up without giving the user any chance to react then many feel like their livelihood has been affected, and they might even consider "just deleting the app altogether now," as one has threatened on X.