Instagram has recently rolled out several new features and is trialling even more! We thought we would keep you up to date on some of our favourites.
Sharing Feed Posts with “Close Friends”
In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in social sharing trends, with users increasingly opting for more private group engagement rather than public posting.
Instagram’s chief, Adam Mosseri, has acknowledged that users now share more content via direct messages (DMs) than through feed posts or stories. This shift in behaviour has prompted Instagram to introduce various features to enhance private group sharing such as collaborative posts, post collections in chats and the introduction of notes.
One of Instagram’s latest updates is the option to share feed posts with “Close Friends” only. This new feature expands on the existing “Close Friends” option that was initially introduced for Stories in 2018. Previously, users could share their Stories, Notes, and Reels with their close friends, but not their feed posts. With the new update, users now have the ability to create feed posts exclusively for their close friends.
Instagram’s Trials Location Tags in Notes
Instagram is currently experimenting with a new feature in its Notes inbox prompts. Some users now have the ability to include a location tag in their Notes inquiries. Those participating in this trial can attach a location marker to their note, which will subsequently direct users to the Instagram location page associated with that specific place.
Instagram’s CEO, Adam Mosseri, shared the following insight via his Instagram Channel: “People use notes to express thoughts, emotions, and even places. We aim to simplify the process of sharing your current location, discovering new places to explore, and more. Personally, I’m excited about this because sharing my whereabouts has been one of my favourite uses for notes.”
As this feature gains traction, businesses and digital marketers should keep an eye on how it can be leveraged to connect with their target audience and promote their services or products more effectively.
Instagram Tests A New Feature for Creators to Share Comments from Public Posts in Stories
Instagram is presently in the process of testing a novel functionality that empowers creators to share comments from any publicly accessible feed post or Reel onto their Stories. Creators who have access to this feature can effortlessly swipe on a chosen comment and then select the “Add to Story” icon, causing the comment to appear alongside the original post or Reel.
This feature grants creators the ability to accentuate noteworthy and captivating comments, functioning as a tool for appreciating and acknowledging their supporters, conducting spontaneous Q&A sessions, and more. Comments, especially those left on brief video content like Reels and TikTok, can sometimes be more enthralling, entertaining, or engaging than the actual posts themselves. Given the diverse ways creators can react to, spotlight, and create content around comments, comments have evolved into a distinct content format.
Instagram’s most recent addition to its comment-related features is just one example among several recently introduced features that promote audience interaction and engagement while offering a straightforward approach to generating content with minimal effort. A notable parallel is YouTube’s feature enabling creators to respond to fan comments with Shorts.
This new innovative feature could present an excellent opportunity for businesses to swiftly and efficiently showcase positive customer feedback on their products or services!
‘Following’ Filter Added to the Instagram Reels Tab
Instagram has introduced a new feature, the “Following” filter, in its Reels tab. Until now, Instagram users could only access a single Reels feed, which included content from both followed accounts and recommended videos. However, this update allows users to focus solely on the most recent videos from the accounts they follow, similar to TikTok’s “For You” and “Following” streams.
While this feature brings more control to Reels content, it may not be as valuable on Instagram due to the diverse range of accounts users follow. Instagram users often follow a broader spectrum of content compared to their TikTok following, making the Reels “Following” feed potentially less engaging than the main display.
Nonetheless, having the option to curate your Reels experience is a positive addition. To switch to the “Following” filter, tap the “Reels” title in the upper left corner of your screen and select “Following” from the dropdown menu. You can easily revert to the main Reels feed by tapping the back arrow in the top left corner of the screen. This feature provides more flexibility and personalisation for Instagram users who prefer to see content exclusively from their chosen accounts.
New Tests to Hide Like Activity in the Instagram App
Instagram is currently testing a new privacy feature that allows users to hide their like activity from others, providing more control over their social interactions. Users are alerted with a pop-up notification, offering the option to conceal their likes from specific individuals.
This new functionality offers users the flexibility to hide their like activity from non-followers or restrict visibility to their close friends. Alternatively, they can choose to hide their likes from everyone on the platform, offering an additional layer of privacy for those who want to keep their preferences confidential.
This move aligns with the growing trend towards enhanced privacy in social media, similar to WhatsApp’s recent success in Western markets. Twitter, known as “X” in this context, offers a similar feature for X Premium subscribers, allowing them to hide their checkmarks and likes. This can make users feel more at ease when supporting different creators, free from any potential stigma or association.
However, it’s essential to note that commenting on a profile or following it will still reveal your actions. Nevertheless, if your preferred mode of interaction involves discreet likes, this new feature may be a valuable addition, allowing you to engage without worrying about your activity being exposed to others.
