Hot on the heels of an April redesign for Instagram Direct, an Instagram app update is making further changes to the rules about square photos. With some tweaks to link previews too.

Rectangular DMs

Probably the most significant change of the update is that users can now share rectangular photos inside Instagram Direct – the platform's private messaging service.

Until now, pics sent via Direct had to be squared. Instagram will no longer enforce this rule. Instead, you’ll be able to share your camera roll photos via Instagram Direct in their original dimensions.

That holds true regardless of the image’s orientation: whether landscape or portrait, Instagram now lets you send it via DM.

Auto-preview links too

As well as changing the rules about squares, the new update adds the Facebook-like function of automatic previews for links sent via Direct.

From now on, links will be accompanied with a photo from the destination site, along with a headline and text fragment.

Update when?

This Instagram update has already gone live, though it might not yet have pushed to all devices in all locations. If your Instagram hasn’t received the latest update yet, have no fear: it’ll push through soon.

Sad to see the iconic square photo rules relaxed, or glad for the felxibility and faster uploads?

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