Instagram Unveils New Wordmark After Decade

Instagram unveiled a new wordmark on Thursday, marking the first update to the text-based logo at the top of its app in a decade. The change, announced by Instagram head Adam Mosseri, replaces the familiar cursive script with a design he described as cleaner and more modern, while still referencing the original logo's signature style. The multicolored gradient camera icon that serves as the app's main icon on home screens remains unchanged.

Mosseri announced the refresh in a post on Instagram, stating that the previous wordmark had not been updated in 10 years, making it time for a change. He characterized the new design as sharper and more modern, with references to the original and the simplicity and craft that has always defined Instagram. The company later said in a blog post that the new logo was created to flex and grow alongside Instagram and the people who make it a special place.

The reaction from users was immediate and mixed. Many comments focused on the stylized letterforms, particularly the "r," which some said could be misread as a "z" or "u," leading to jokes that the logo now reads "Instagzam" or "Instagwam." Others questioned the necessity of the change...