Feel like Instagram is always changing? Are you feeling a little overwhelmed by their constant updates? I get it…
With the platform evolving so quickly, it can be tough to keep up (even for marketers). But with over 2 billion monthly active users on Instagram as of April 2024, it’s huge for brands to reach new audiences and build connections.
That’s why staying on top of Instagram’s latest features is so important—it can help you stand out, engage your followers, and grow your business. Let’s take a look at some of the newest updates that can help you market your business and connect with your audience more effectively.
Instagram Stories Features
Instagram Stories continue to be a huge part of the platform, and they’ve added some cool new features to help you boost engagement and interaction with your followers.
Comments on Stories
You can now receive public comments on your Stories, similar to how comments work on regular posts. These comments show up as tiny bubbles that viewers can click on and engage with.
This is a great way to gather immediate feedback on your products or services, test new ideas, and encourage community discussions. It’s an easy way to start conversations around your content and create a more interactive experience.
Worried about negative comments? You can set up comment filters to automatically hide comments containing specific words or phrases, keeping things positive and on track.
Reveal Sticker
The new Reveal sticker is a fun way to build anticipation. It blurs out your Story content until viewers interact with it. They can either tap the sticker to reveal the content or DM you for a sneak peek—creating an instant conversation starter.
How to use it: If you’re about to launch a new product or service, use the Reveal sticker to create excitement. For example, a clothing brand could tease a new collection. Viewers tap to reveal a sneak peek and DM for early access or more details.
If you’re using tools like ManyChat, you can even automate follow-ups when someone interacts with the Reveal sticker. This is a great way to engage your audience and personalize the experience.
New Fonts and Stickers
Instagram is giving us even more creative control with new fonts and stickers. One standout is the enhanced “Add Yours” sticker, which now lets users share the song they’re listening to.
How to use it: This could be a great way to connect with your audience. You could create a community-driven playlist or align your brand with certain music genres by encouraging followers to share their favorite tunes.
Instagram Reels Features
If you’re not already using Reels, now’s a great time to start! Instagram has been pouring a lot of energy into making Reels even more dynamic and easier to create, which means small businesses like yours can produce high-quality, engaging content without needing fancy tools.
Multiple Audio Tracks
You can now add up to 20 different audio tracks to a single Reel—think music, sound effects, and voiceovers. This opens up a world of creative possibilities for telling your story.
How to use it: Imagine creating a “day in the life” Reel with different background music for each part of your day. Or layer sound effects over product demos for added flair. You could even highlight multiple customer testimonials in one video using various voiceovers.
Enhanced Editing Tools
Instagram’s latest editing tools make it much easier to polish your Reels without ever leaving the app. With the undo/redo button, clip-splitting, and replace function, you can refine your content quickly. And if you’ve ever wanted to make changes after posting a Reel, now you can! You can even edit frames and change the cover image after it’s live.
Use the drafts feature to plan and prepare content in advance. And with the new duplicate function, you can test out different edits or versions of your Reels without starting from scratch each time.
Multiple Collaborators
You can now add up to five collaborators on a single Reel, making cross-promotion and collaboration easier than ever. This is a great opportunity to partner with other creators or brands in your niche, expand your reach, and engage with new audiences.
How to use it: Collaborate with like-minded businesses or influencers. Not only will you reach more people, but you’ll also build trust by being associated with others in your industry.
These Instagram updates are all about giving you more ways to connect with your audience and enhance your content. Whether you’re using public comments to spark conversations or collaborating with other creators, these new tools are designed to help you market your business in a fun and easy way.
Start small—pick one or two features that align with your goals, and see how they can help grow your online presence. If you need guidance on using these updates for your business, feel free to reach out!
