With the ever-changing nature of social media, it’s no surprise to see platforms evolve and introduce new features. If you need a refresher on Instagram, we went through the basics in our previous blog: Instagram 101: A Vocabulary List. In this blog, we’ll add some new terms to that list!
Reels: short-form videos
Reels are videos similar to what you would find on TikTok, except reels can be up to 15 minutes long. Users can record, edit, and clip videos and photos together on Instagram then set them to music, and post them to their feeds. Reels can be recorded in a series of clips, a single stream, or shot externally and uploaded. Since Instagram introduced reels in 2020, they have taken off and become a huge part of the platform -- they even have their own separate feed which is nested on the bottom of your screen.
Stories: content that disappears 24 hours after sharing
An Instagram Story is an in-app feature that allows users to post multiple photos or videos that automatically disappear within 24 hours. Users can add polls, links, text, gifs, and so much more to a story. Stories also create a great opportunity for public posts to be reshared. A colorful ring around your profile picture will let users know they can tap on your profile photo and see your story. This is also seen at the top row of your home screen feed—making it the first thing your followers see. Just like a regular Instagram post, you are able to engage with stories with likes, reactions, replies, and sharing through direct messages.
Highlights: a collection of stories
Ever noticed the circles under a user's bio? These tappable circles are called highlights! Highlights allow your stories to stay on your profile permanently. They are a great way to archive and group stories that you have posted. Highlights can be named and even have their own custom cover images!
Save: a way to come back to a post you’ve seen
A save on Instagram is indicated by the little ribbon icon near the like, comment, and share icons under a post. Think of a save as bookmarking a post you want to come back to! Once a post is saved, it can be found by navigating to the Instagram profile, clicking on the hamburger menu, and then tapping “Saved.”
Carousel: a series of photos in one post
Publish up to 10 photos and/or videos in a single post by using this Instagram feature. You can use carousels to showcase multiple photos and videos, tell a story, and much more. Mobile users can swipe through this content, while desktop users are prompted by small arrows.
Threads: Instagram's text-based conversation app
Threads is very similar to X, formally known as Twitter. Anyone with an Instagram account can create a Threads account. This new app is for sharing text updates of up to 500 words and joining public conversations.
If you have questions or are considering incorporating these new features into your social media strategy, reach out to our team today!
