Instagram Redesigns Its Wordmark for the First Time in a Decade

Instagram has introduced a redesigned wordmark in a decade, updating the text-based logo that spells out the social network’s name while leaving its familiar gradient app icon unchanged.

Instagram head Adam Mosseri announced the change on Instagram and Threads on Thursday, saying the previous wordmark had been in use for more than 10 years and had begun to feel dated. He described the replacement as sharper and more modern while still drawing from Instagram’s original identity and keeping the design simple.

Instagram gives its wordmark a more modern look

The new lettering retains a handwritten quality but mixes cursive-inspired curves with more contemporary shapes. Some of the most noticeable changes appear in letters such as the“s,” “r”, and “g,” giving the wordmark a more stylised appearance than its predecessor.

As with many changes to familiar technology brands, the redesign quickly drew mixed reactions online. Some users praised the updated typography and fresher appearance, while others questioned its readability. One recurring joke was that the redesigned lettering, particularly the shape of the “r,” makes Instagram appear to read as “Instagzam.”

The reaction highlights the challenge of changing a visual identity that users have seen for years. Instagram’s name is highly recognisable, but even relatively small alterations to its typography can stand out because the wordmark appears prominently within the app.

Instagram’s app icon remains unchanged

The update applies to the Instagram wordmark rather than the colourful camera icon used for the app. Instagram has not announced a replacement for that icon as part of the current redesign.

The company’s last major visual overhaul came in 2016, when Instagram replaced its retro brown camera icon and rainbow stripe with the simplified camera design set against a pink, purple, orange and yellow gradient. That redesign also introduced a cleaner interface and established much of the visual identity Instagram still uses today.

For now, the new wordmark represents a more targeted refresh rather than another broad redesign. Instagram has not announced additional changes to its app icon or wider visual identity alongside the update.