Instagram is testing a new feature designed to give users control over how their posts appear in the feed. The goal is to let followers see a chosen portion of a cropped image, rather than the default center crop that currently appears in previews.
At the moment, the platform creates previews by framing the middle area of photos and videos. Users can adjust margins or add white space, but they cannot select a specific thumbnail. After entering the Edit and Setup menus, users can move the photo and align content. A grid is available to help frame the exact portion that should be visible in the post preview.
For video previews, options are limited to a pair of choices. One option aims to provide an automatic, borderless framing, while the other includes a frame. The intended effect is to ensure the entire broadcast appears as intended, regardless of whether the video is captured in portrait or landscape orientation.
In related tests, a reverse-engineering specialist has shared evidence suggesting another possible change: the ability to display a customized cut of a previously posted image in the profile feed. The demonstration shows a preview where only the selected portion is visible, avoiding any extraneous elements from the original file in the thumbnail. This indicates Instagram may be exploring a way to give users a precise, controlled preview of their content.
When a customization option is active, a small caption appears within the interface: hold to pan and scale the chosen area. This instruction sits on a grid area at the bottom of the screen, just above the image, guiding users as they adjust the frame.
Additionally, there are indicators that Instagram is testing another project aimed at displaying vertical content more effectively. The proposed feature would allow uploading images with a 9:16 aspect ratio, ensuring vertical photos can be shown in full within the feed. At present, it remains unclear when these capabilities might roll out to all users or which markets will receive them first, but the intention is to improve how vertical media is experienced in the app.
As with many early-stage tests, the company has not confirmed a timeline for these changes or their global availability. The evolving previews and resizing options reflect Instagram’s ongoing effort to offer more granular control over how posts appear in feeds, which could influence both creator workflow and viewer experience. Observers note that any rollout would likely begin with a beta group before a wider launch, and feedback from users will shape final implementation. In the meantime, creators and fans alike can anticipate a more tailored approach to thumbnails and previews that aligns with the way people actually view content on mobile devices, especially when scrolling quickly through a busy feed.