Instagram Unveils a New Logo After a Decade, but Users Are Already Making Fun of It

Instagram has unveiled a major update to its wordmark, marking the first significant change to the design in roughly a decade. Meta's social media platform says the refreshed logo is cleaner, simpler and more modern while still maintaining a connection to Instagram's original visual identity.

However, the reaction from users was not entirely what Instagram executives may have hoped for. Almost immediately after the announcement, social media users began making jokes about the readability of the new lettering.

Does Instagram now look like "Instagzam"?

The biggest criticism surrounding the redesign focuses on the shape of several letters. In particular, the stylized "r" has led some users to interpret it as other characters.

As a result, users have joked that the new wordmark could be read as "Instagzam," "Instagwam" or even "Instaguam."

Others questioned whether the new design had sacrificed readability in an attempt to create a more distinctive visual identity. Some users also raised concerns about accessibility and whether the new lettering would be easy for everyone to read.

Instagram head Adam Mosseri announced the redesign by explaining that the wordmark had remained unchanged for around 10 years. He described the new version as cleaner and more contemporary while retaining elements inspired by Instagram's original design language.

Designers are already debating the redesign

The new logo has also attracted attention from design professionals. Social media consultant Matt Navarra said the design would likely give designers plenty to discuss, while also making it clear that he personally liked the refresh.

Navarra described the new wordmark as fresh and modern while still remaining faithful to Instagram's roots. However, he also acknowledged the growing jokes about the logo appearing to read "Instagzam."

Mosseri himself appeared to anticipate a strong reaction. When sharing the announcement on Threads, he invited users to offer their reactions and see what kind of "hot takes" the redesign would generate.

Users want Instagram to fix bigger problems

While the logo has become the center of attention, some users argue that Instagram should be focusing on more serious issues instead of refreshing its visual identity.

Among the most frequently mentioned concerns are AI-generated content, bot accounts and the difficulty of recovering accounts that have been suspended without clear explanations.

Some major creators and businesses have complained that legitimate accounts can be removed without adequate explanations or effective access to human support. For these users, a new logo does little to address the problems that directly affect their businesses and audiences.

The debate therefore goes beyond typography. It highlights a wider gap between the changes Instagram is choosing to make and the changes some of its users actually want to see.

Instagram's iconic camera icon remains unchanged

One important part of Instagram's visual identity has not been altered. The platform's distinctive multicolored camera icon remains the same.

The redesign is primarily focused on the Instagram wordmark displayed at the top of the app. Rather than completely reinventing its branding, Instagram has opted for a relatively subtle modernization.

Whether users will eventually embrace the new design remains to be seen. As with many major branding changes, the initial wave of criticism may eventually fade as people become accustomed to the new look. For now, however, Instagram's "more modern" logo has certainly succeeded in getting people talking.