How to preview your Instagram grid before posting

Once upon a time, you used to have to download a separate app to preview how your potential new Instagram post would look on your Instagram grid. Luckily, those days are in the past. A couple of months ago, the day finally came when you could preview how your new post will look on your grid before posting it.

Instagram still seems to be slowly rolling out this new feature in the latest updates of the app, so it still may not be available to every user just yet, but if you’re one of the lucky early users to get this feature, I’ll walk you through exactly how to take advantage of it.

How to preview your post on your grid before posting it

1. Go to the plus symbol in the middle of the bottom bar on the app to create a new post.
2. Select the pictures you want to post.
3. Hit ‘Next.’
4. Click on the writing under the photo that says ‘Show Preview.’
5. If you don’t see the writing, there may be an eye-shaped symbol on the top right-hand side of your screen that will also allow you to preview your post.
6. Preview your post on your grid.

Can you preview reels on your feed?

Yes, you can. To do this, just post a reel as normal, and you’ll see the option to preview the reel in your grid. Another feature Instagram added for those posting Reels is the ability to choose whether you want to post your Reel just to your Reel grid or your main grid.

Why is this Instagram update important?

If Instagram isn’t one of your most-used apps, this update may not be in your highlight reel, but for those who care about curating an Instagram aesthetic, then this feature changes the game. Previewing how your post will look on your grid before you post it will help users decide which order to post them in, along with which pictures go with your chosen aesthetic and which don’t.

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While I’m very in the middle when it comes to caring about an Instagram aesthetic, I always like to see if the photo I want to post matches the vibe of the other pictures on my grid.

What if I don’t have the option to see a preview of my Instagram grid before posting?

Not everyone may have the option to see a preview of their grid just yet. If you still want to plan out your grid, I recommend downloading the ‘Feed Preview’ app for basic Instagram grid planning or, for more in depth Instagram post planning, I recommend the ‘Later’ app. Both apps are available on iOS or Android.

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What other features can users access in Instagram’s new update?

Instagram’s users can now share feed posts with just those who are currently on their Close Friends story, edit photos with filters normally only available on Instagram stories, and add music to any type of post.

Keep in mind that when you share a photo on your Instagram feed just for your Close Friends, other people on your Close Friends’ story will be able to figure out who else is on the story based on who likes the photo. So, if you have any exes you’re secretly keeping on your Close Friends story and don’t want others on your Close Friends list seeing this, I recommend either removing them or just not taking advantage of the new feature.

Another new update Instagram snuck in is the ability for users to schedule their posts.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Select the photos you want to post
2. After the pictures are selected and edited, hit ‘Next’
3. Scroll to the bottom and hit ‘Advanced Settings’
4. At the top of the advanced settings you will see ‘Schedule Post’
5. Choose the day and time you want to schedule for and hit ‘Done’

Scheduling posts comes in handy when running a business account or if you want to post at a future time.