Instagram Vies To Replace TikTok By Killing Square Grids, Launching CapCut Rival
By Mikelle Leow, 21 Jan 2025
Images 126783820 © Ifeelstock | Dreamstime.com and Instagram / Apple App Store
After much dread from the American public, ByteDance’s TikTok was banned in the country on January 19—if only for 14 hours (update: 47th US President Donald Trump has since granted the social network a 75-day grace period ahead of an impending ban). In the lead-up to the legislation, Meta was quietly working on ways to edge out its Chinese rival.
Capitalizing on the uncertainty, Instagram introduced a major visual update, shifting user profile grids from its signature squares to vertical rectangles, a move that aligns more closely with TikTok’s interface. But the bigger play was Edits, Instagram’s new video editing app, a clear bid to replace CapCut, which remains unavailable in US app stores due to federal restrictions on ByteDance-owned software.
Square-dancing around the competition
Instagram is testing rectangle profile grids instead of the traditional square. pic.twitter.com/O8w2Ctd1jo
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 17, 2025
On his Instagram Stories, Instagram head Adam Mosseri addressed the shift away from square grids. While he acknowledged the platform’s history, he noted that times have changed and going rectangular was a necessary adaptation as cropping content often fails to do creators justice in the age of vertical videos.
the instagram update is HORRENDOUS and ugly...
— Conn 𫶠(@connorrcoleman) January 17, 2025
years and years SINCE INCEPTION of people carefully crafting square grids... to this... horrendous ugly mess...
change it back or give us the option as users @Meta @instagram @mosseri
instagram feed so bad and ugly, just give me the square grid back u moron @instagram
— raf simons on acid (@belfast___) January 20, 2025
“I know some of you really like your squares. And square photos are sort of the heritage of Instagram,” Mosseri proclaimed. “But at this point, most of what’s uploaded, both photos and videos, are vertical in their orientation.” However, he recognized that this would be “a transitional pain” for many who have stucked with the platform for years.
CapCut a distant memory? Instagram rolls out ‘Edits’ video editor
Although TikTok has returned to the US market for now, CapCut remains sidelined, caught in the broader crackdown on ByteDance’s software. The Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act did not single out CapCut by name, but its sweeping language regarding ByteDance apps has kept it out of US app stores.
Edits, Instagram’s new answer to CapCut, brings an extensive suite of tools aimed at mobile content creators. The app, now available for pre-order on iOS (via the Apple App Store) with an Android version expected later, officially launches on March 13.
The video editor is framed as a solution for those who craft short-form content from their phones, rather than being for pros who work on their desktops. It boasts a camera capable of filming in full HD or 2K at 60 frames per second, an inspiration tab for tracking trends, and AI-powered editing features such as green screen effects and animated overlays.
Images via Instagram / Apple App Store
Unlike many free editing apps, Edits allows users to export content without watermarks, a key selling point for cross-platform creators.
Images via Instagram / Apple App Store
Beyond editing tools, Instagram is banking on deeper integration with its platform to make Edits an essential resource. The app provides real-time performance analytics, showing engagement rates, skip percentages, and audience interaction trends. This data allows social media creators to tweak their content strategy to ensure their videos get the best possible reach.
The combination of Edits and Reels—which recently expanded to allow videos up to three minutes long—reinforces Meta’s bid to dominate short-form video creation at a moment of significant regulatory uncertainty for its main competitor.
[via Newsweek, MacRumors, Gizmochina, Mashable, images via various sources]