Instagram updated its written text logo for the first time in ten years, making internet users laugh as many claim it now reads Instagzam.
Popular social media app Instagram has changed the written text logo that sits right at the top of the phone screen. This is the very first time in ten years that the company has touched or redesigned the name spelling style inside the app.
While the colorful camera box icon on your home screen stays the same, the word written in cursive letters at the top of your feed received a brand new look. The surprise change was released around the world on Thursday, August 13, 2026, across millions of smartphones. However, instead of simply admiring the new design, millions of regular app users across the internet immediately started laughing at the new lettering.
The main reason Instagram decided to make this change was simply because the old text design was getting very old. Companies like to refresh their looks every few years so their apps do not feel outdated to younger users. Explaining the decision to the public, Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri wrote in an official post, “The wordmark at the top of the app hasn’t changed in 10 years, so it was time for a refresh.”
He further explained that the team wanted something that was “Cleaner and more modern, with references to the original and the simplicity and craft that’s always made it Instagram.” Additionally, Jasmine Probst, who works as Instagram’s director of product design, shared why they chose curly handwritten letters, stating that “Script reflects individuality, so referencing that felt right.”
Even though the design team worked hard to make the letters look fancy and modern, everyday people reading the name on their phones had a completely different reaction. Because the letter “r” in the new font was drawn with extra curves and loops, many users complained that it no longer looks like an “r” at all. Instead, thousands of people started commenting that the word now looks like it spells out “Instagzam” or “Instagwam”.
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According to recent news coverage, many internet users found the new cursive letters very tricky to read at first glance. One confused user commented on the new look, asking, “Is it just me or does it read: instagzam ❓” Another person poked fun at the baby-like spelling by writing, “Instagwam, how a toddler would pronounce it. Perfect.” Another reviewer voiced frustration over how hard the font is on the eyes, stating, “It’s barely readable. Does it even pass accessibility checks? Booo. I might be the outspoken minority, but I do not like it.”
The funny reaction spread very fast across other platforms. In fact, even popular brands joined in on the joke, with AI chatbot platform ChatGPT posting a picture of its own logo spelled out as “Chatjipiti” in the same curly font style. Meanwhile, technological coverage noted that while the new text has sharper curves, the main pink and orange camera icon remains untouched so users can still easily find the app on their phone screens. Highlighting user feedback, reports quoted one user who pointed out how hard it is to unsee the funny mistake, saying, “Once you see it as instagZam, you just can’t unsee it.”
In simple terms, Instagram tried to give its written name a neat, modern polish after a decade without updates. However, because the new handwriting style makes the letter “r” look like a “z”, millions of users around the world are currently enjoying a good laugh at the app’s brand new identity.
