Instagram has introduced a redesigned wordmark, the text-only logo that spells out the company's name at the top of the app, marking its first change in ten years. The update does not affect the app's coloured camera icon on users' home screens. The redesign has already drawn mixed reactions online, with some users struggling to read the new lettering.
What has changed
The new wordmark moves away from the cursive-style font Instagram has used since 2016, blending elements of handwriting and print typefaces. According to a Meta news release, the design team explored hundreds of alternatives, from all-capital letters to literal handwriting, before settling on a script-based style. Instagram's director of product design, Jasmine Probst, said the script font was chosen because it reflects individuality and a personal voice, qualities the company considers central to the platform's identity.
Alongside the wordmark, Instagram is also rolling out an updated version of Instagram Sans, a new handwriting-style typeface called Instagram Pen, and a new monospace font, Instagram Mono.
Reasoning behind the update
Instagram head Adam Mosseri announced the change on his Instagram and Threads accounts, explaining that the previous wordmark had not changed in a decade and was due for a refresh. He described the result as cleaner and more modern, while still carrying references to the platform's original identity and its emphasis on simplicity and craft.
User reaction
The redesign attracted thousands of comments within its first hour online. Several users criticised the legibility of the new lettering, with many pointing out that the stylised letters make the wordmark appear to read "Instagzam" rather than "Instagram." Others expressed nostalgia for the previous cursive design, which had become closely associated with the platform over the past decade. Reaction has not been uniformly negative, however, with some users praising the fresher, more contemporary look.
It is not yet clear when the new wordmark will be rolled out fully to all users, or whether further visual changes to the app will follow.
With information from The Verge
