Why Does Instagram Ruin Photo Quality? Understanding the Factors and Solutions

Instagram offers a more visually inclined and aesthetic platform for users. However, if you want to make your online presence impactful, you have to use high-quality images.

Lately, many people have noticed that Instagram has started reducing the quality of their images when they upload so, if you are one of those users who wants to know why it happens. Let’s take a close look at it in the next section.

Understanding Instagram’s Compression Algorithms

If we talk about the picture quality of Instagram, the compression algorithm is the main reason for the reduced quality.

Every time you try to upload a picture on Instagram, it makes sure the uploading time is fast and the image is compressed to save bandwidth. This leads to reduced image quality with low sharpness.

How Compression Works

Instagram compression technique works by analyzing the overall features of an image to reduce the quality without distorting its look. Sometimes, it results in blurred images and distorted pixels.

Balancing Quality and Performance

Instagram keeps working to maintain image quality. With these compression photo features, Instagram makes sure it is user-friendly and easily accessible for various users and internet facilities.  But sometimes, seeking high-quality images becomes a difficult task.

Image Resolution and Aspect Ratios

There are some guidelines that Instagram presents on how your image appears with specific ratios and resolutions.

Resolution Limits

There are specific limitations to the resolution if you want to upload an image to Instagram. If you exceed those limits, a low-quality, resized version of your image will be uploaded. For instance, if you post a photo with pixels above 1080, it automatically resizes to the standard display ratios of Instagram.

Aspect Ratios

Instagram supports multiple aspect ratios, especially for your image posts. You have so many options to choose from, including Square with 1:1, Portrait with 4:5, and Landscape with 1.91:1. If you do not post images under these aspect ratios, it will automatically set the required ratio itself and reduce the quality of the image.

File Formats and Their Impact

Another thing that affects the quality of your images is their file formats. Instagram supports the following file formats.

JPEG vs. PNG

• JPEG: Most users frequently use JPEG format for their image posts. Instagram prefers images that have a balance between their file size and quality. But they are more sensitive to compression.
• PNG: If you want to post images along with text, Instagram supports PNG format.

Other Formats

Apart from the primary formats, such as PNG and JPEG, Instagram also allows you to post images in BMP and TIFF formats. Well, these two lead to unwanted failures and compression.

Upload Methods: Mobile vs. Desktop

The way you post your photos on Instagram also impacts the quality of your images.

Mobile App Uploads

If you use the Instagram app through a mobile phone to upload an image, it will apply its own compression parameters, which will also lower the quality of your posts.

Desktop Uploads

Recently, the desktop version of Instagram got an update. This latest version ensures better image quality, but if you switch between phones and desktops to upload pics, compression techniques will be disturbed and impact the process.

Internet Connectivity and Upload Speeds

Internet connection and speed also have a great impact on the quality of your photos.

High-Speed vs. Slow Connections

On a high-speed internet connection, your photos upload faster, which reduces the chances of quality compression. On the other hand, a slow internet connection takes time to process and upload and automatically impacts the quality of the photos.

Data Loss During Upload

During the slow internet, data is sometimes lost when you try to upload your images on Instagram, which leads to compressed images.

Device Camera Quality and Settings

Sometimes, the image quality is not lost because of Instagram, but it is due to your poor camera settings.

Camera Resolution

Cameras with high resolution capture sharp, clear, and detailed photos and upload them accordingly. Well, you must know that even high-resolution photos get compressed on Instagram.

Image Settings

Adjust the setting of your camera. For instance, contrast, saturation, and exposure. All of these determine the overall quality of the image. Make sure the image is not highly contrasted or extra saturated because such images get more distorted later during upload.

Solutions and Workarounds

Although no one can stop the compression of Instagram during uploads, you may adopt some strategies to ensure the quality of photos as much as possible.

Optimizing Image Size and Resolution

Follow the Recommended Dimensions of Photos

• Square Photos: 1080 x 1080 pixels
• Portrait Photos: 1080 x 1350 pixels
• Landscape Photos: 1080 x 566 pixels

When you upload pics with these standard pixels and resolutions, you reduce the chances of Instagram to further impact the quality of the photos.

Resize Images Before Upload

Suppose you see that your photos do not align with the required dimensions of Instagram. Use editing tools to cut or resize the photo dimension. Add extra borders to equalize the photo dimension.

Choosing the Right File Format

Prefer JPEG for Photographs

For photographs and images, save your files in JPEG format so that Instagram won’t impact the quality of your photos during compression.

Use PNG for Graphics and Text

As for images that contain texts, logos, and graphics, use PNG format. PNG files maintain the clarity and sharpness of the photo while you upload, saving them from losing quality.

Using Third-Party Apps for Editing

Use third-party editing apps to edit your photos before posting them on Instagram.

Compression Tools

There are several apps that compress your photos and change their format. For instance, apps like JPEGmini or TinyPNG efficiently compress images. This reduces the file size and maintains its quality. The pre-compression methods later prevent Instagram from applying extra compression.

Editing for Clarity

If your photos are blurry and in low resolution, enhance them by using different editing tools. Improve their contrast sharpness and clarity so that they won’t lose their quality during the compression of Instagram.

Uploading Through Instagram’s Desktop Interface

As the desktop version of Instagram presents better image quality, it affects the photos than the mobile app.

Benefits of Desktop Uploads

• Higher Resolution Handling: The photo uploads through the desktop saves image data while uploading, which leads to better image quality.
• Better Control Over Formatting: Through the desktop, you can better manage and control the format of the images while uploading.

Maintaining Consistent Aspect Ratios

By properly following Instagram’s guidelines to resize and crop pictures, image quality and visual appeal remain intact.

Standardize Your Photos

To achieve high image quality or stories or posts, it is advised to resize images according to Instagram’s ratio requirements before uploading images.

Use Editing Tools for Precision

Without compromising quality and appeal, images can be resized with the help of image editing tools.

Conclusion

Instagram serves as one of the best image-uploading platforms. It is meant for visual storytelling.  So image quality matters the most. You need to ensure that your image must follow a standard resolution parameter of Instagram before uploading to avoid distortion later.

Compression algorithm of instagram aims to provide fast uploading speed and enhanced image quality. By slightly optimizing images before uploading the images, the desired quality can be achieved. It allows you to portray high-quality content to your personal or professional brand and provide a great user experience for your targeted audience.

FAQs

1. Why do my Instagram photos look blurry after uploading?

The compression algorithm intends to reduce the uploading time of images on Instagram. It results in blurry images. Moreover, if the image is not optimized correctly before uploading, this algorithm will resize the image and reduce its quality.

2. Can I avoid Instagram’s compression entirely?

Although it is not possible to completely avoid image compression on Instagram, quality loss can still be reduced by image optimization, use of proper formats and image resolutions.

Worried about Instagram ruining your photo quality? Let ProflUp help you optimize your posts while increasing likes, comments, and reach. Get in touch to ensure your content looks great and performs well!