Instagram Announces New Messaging and Visual Updates: What You Need to Know

Overview

• In the new Instagram update, Users can read audio messages in DMs when sound is off or unavailable.
• Allows longer voice notes in DMs, lets users follow all participants in a chat, and displays 3:4 aspect ratio images natively.
• House of Marketer‘s Insights on what these tips mean for marketers.

Instagram is quietly doubling down on two major trends shaping user behaviour in 2025: private sharing and short-form content. As consumers share more photos and videos in DMs on Instagram than anywhere else, the platform is rolling out a suite of messaging enhancements and creative tools designed to help brands stay relevant, personal, and visually aligned. 

These latest updates—including longer voice notes, voice message transcription, a one-tap “Follow All” button in group chats, and support for 3:4 images signalling Instagram’s continued push to evolve with how people actually use the platform today. 

Together, they create a more flexible, responsive ecosystem for branded communication, especially in spaces that feel personal and community-driven. 

Let’s explore what each of these updates means for marketers and how they can enhance their content and engagement strategy.

What are Instagram Messaging and Visual Updates?

Here’s what’s new:

1. Voice Message Transcription in DMs
2. Longer Voice Messages (Up to 5 Minutes)
3. Quick Follow in Group Chats
4. Support for 3:4 Image Aspect Ratios

Each of these updates might seem small on its own, but together, they represent a broader shift in how brands can build trust and stay relevant in the flow of everyday interactions. 

Let’s look closer at what each one offers.

Read Audio Messages When You Can’t Listen

Instagram is introducing real-time voice message transcription inside DMs. Users will now see a “View transcription” button below voice notes, enabling them to read audio content even when they cannot listen.

This is more than just a convenience feature—it makes your brand messaging more inclusive, accessible, and effective in sound-off environments.

For marketers, this means:

• Better accessibility across all audiences
• Higher message open rates
• Greater engagement in campaign-related DMs, especially for brand updates, giveaways, or early access promotions.

Building on this improved DM interaction, Instagram is also expanding what brands can say in those moments.

Extended Voice Messages With Up to 5 Minutes of Audio

Previously capped at 1 minute, voice messages in Instagram DMs can now stretch up to 5 minutes.

Why it matters:

• Allows for rich, voice-driven interactions within community groups or ambassador programs
• Ideal for long-form content in private channels without needing to redirect users off-platform

Paired with the transcription feature, this gives marketers more freedom to communicate nuanced offers, stories, or updates while staying within Instagram’s native interface.

And speaking of communities, Instagram is making it easier to strengthen those connections, fast.

“Follow All” Participants Instantly

Instagram has added a “Follow All” button to group chat participant lists, making it easier than ever to build micro-communities.

For brands, this:

• Streamlines post-campaign engagement
• Increases follow-backs after influencer giveaways or niche discussions
• Helps brands grow niche audiences from group interactions

The ability to instantly follow every participant in a conversation makes branded group chats—like those used for product feedback, VIP access, or themed discussions—even more actionable. It ensures you not only talk to your audience but also grow with them.

And while DMs are where the conversations are happening, visual content remains essential. Instagram’s final update gives advertisers more precision in how their images show up in-feed.

3:4 Image Support to Align Your Visuals Across Platforms with Ease

Instagram now officially supports the 3:4 aspect ratio for photos and carousels, ensuring your content appears exactly as shot, without stretching or cropping.

This seemingly small tweak holds real potential:

• Brands using pro cameras or creative editing tools can now maintain native visual quality
• Better display for product shots, behind-the-scenes portraits, and editorial-style posts
• New opportunity to optimise image content in carousels without compromising the format

While video and Reels dominate the algorithm, photos still play a critical role in storytelling, especially in carousel posts, creative lookbooks, or product showcases. This update makes it easier to maintain consistency and aesthetic quality across campaigns.

House of Marketers Insight

These updates may seem minor in isolation, but collectively, they represent a larger evolution in how Meta is aligning its platforms with user behaviour and creative demand.

Messaging, short-form content, and automation are the new pillars of reach.

Over the past few months alone, we’ve seen:

• Blend Reels for seamless storytelling
• 3-minute Reels to expand narrative scope
• Experimental AI ad placements to enhance discovery
• Testing ad placements alongside popular Reels and more.

Now, with enhanced DM tools, richer audio options, and improved visual formatting, Instagram is filling in the gaps between connection and content.

At House of Marketers, we view this as an invitation for brands to rethink how they build community. If you are looking to capitalise on these opportunities and turn them into action, House of Marketers can help. 

At House of Marketers, we help businesses craft impactful influencer marketing campaigns across TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Contact House of Marketers today and future-proof your marketing strategy!