What Are Instagram Highlights and How to Use Them

What Are Instagram Highlights and How to Use Them

Instagram is a dynamic platform that continually adapts to the needs and preferences of its users. Among its many features, Instagram Highlights stand out as a powerful tool for storytelling, branding, and engagement. If you’re an avid Instagram user, you’ve likely seen these circular icons on various profiles, offering a glimpse into the user’s most cherished moments. But what exactly are Instagram Highlights? How can you use them effectively? In this article, we will explore the concept of Instagram Highlights, their significance, and strategies for using them to enhance your Instagram presence.

Understanding Instagram Highlights

Instagram Highlights are essentially curated collections of your Instagram Stories that you want to keep visible on your profile long after the standard 24-hour lifespan of a story has ended. When you create a Highlight, you can choose what Stories you want to feature and present them in attractive, round icons on your profile. This feature allows users to organize their content thematically and share it with visitors in a more permanent, easily accessible format.

When you enter any profile that has Highlights enabled, you’ll see these circular icons just below the profile picture and bio. Each Highlight can hold multiple Stories, and visitors can tap on them to view the Stories contained within. Highlights add a unique dimension to your profile by offering a sneak peek into who you are, what you do, and what your interests are without having to scroll through your past stories.

The Importance of Instagram Highlights

Showcase Your Best Content: Highlights are an excellent way to curate the best moments, tutorials, user-generated content, or customer testimonials you’ve shared. This gives new followers a quick overview of what you offer and your unique brand personality.
Storytelling: Highlights help you tell a story beyond the traditional posts. You can create themes, whether it’s travel, fashion, food, or lifestyle, that convey a narrative about your experiences and expertise.
Branding and Professionalism: For businesses and influencers, having well-organized and visually appealing Highlights can enhance your overall brand presence. Professional Highlights communicate to potential clients and followers that you are committed to your brand and are willing to invest time and effort into creating a polished visual experience.
Enhanced Engagement: By utilizing Highlights effectively, you can boost engagement. Users who find your Highlights appealing may spend more time interacting with your content, leading to increased likes, comments, and follows.
Information Hub: Highlights serve as a mini-information hub for your followers. You can share FAQs, details about your services, product launches, or promotions which can be easily accessed without the need for endless scrolling.

How to Create Instagram Highlights

Creating Instagram Highlights is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Create Instagram Stories: First, start by posting Instagram Stories. You can do this by clicking on the camera icon in the upper left corner of the home feed or by swiping right from anywhere in the feed. Capture or upload your visuals, add text, stickers, and any other elements you want to include.
Access Your Profile: Once you’ve created a story, navigate to your profile by selecting your profile image in the bottom right corner of the app.
Highlight ‘+’ Icon: Look for the circular ‘+’ icon that appears below your bio and previous Highlights. Tap this icon.
Select Stories for Your Highlight: You will see all the Instagram Stories you’ve created within the last 24 hours. Select the stories you want to add to your Highlight. You can pick multiple stories to feature in one Highlight.
Name Your Highlight: After selecting the stories, tap ‘Next’ and give your Highlight a memorable name. This name will appear under the Highlight icon on your profile.
Choose Your Cover Image: Next, you have the option to choose a cover image for your Highlight. You can select from one of the stories you included or upload a separate photo from your camera roll. A cohesive cover image can enhance the aesthetic of your profile.
Save Your Highlight: Tap ‘Add’ to save your Highlight and make it visible on your profile.

Tips for Using Instagram Highlights Effectively

Now that you know how to create Instagram Highlights, here are some strategies for using them effectively:

Plan Your Content: Consider planning your Highlights in advance. Before you create them, think about the themes that represent your brand or persona. For example, a travel blogger might have Highlights titled “Adventures,” “Travel Tips,” and “Food.” Sketching out a plan allows you to create a cohesive narrative.
Keep Highlights Organized: Maintain an organized structure by limiting the number of Highlights on your profile. A mess of Highlights can overwhelm visitors. Focus on the most relevant 5–7 categories that showcase your brand effectively. You can always combine similar topics into one Highlight to streamline your profile.
Consistent Branding: Use a consistent design for your Highlight covers to enhance brand recognition. Whether you choose a specific color palette, font, or logo representation, consistency helps tie your profile together and makes it visually appealing.
Interactive Content: Use your yet-to-expire Stories to create important polls, quizzes, and questions. This doesn’t just give viewers a glimpse of your content but also encourages them to engage with it actively.
Update Regularly: Keep your Highlights fresh by updating them periodically. New stories should be added based on seasonal content, promotions, or milestones, and outdated content should be removed.
Highlight Key Information: Use Highlights to cover important aspects of your brand. For example, if you’re a business, you could create Highlights for “FAQs,” “Customer Reviews,” “Product Demos,” and “Offers.” This not only informs followers but also encourages action.
Utilize Analytics: If you have a business account, use Instagram Insights to analyze which Highlights get the most views. This data can guide you on what type of content resonates most with your audience and guide your future content strategy.
Promote Your Highlights: Don’t forget to promote your Highlights in your posts and stories. You can do this by creating a particular post that encourages followers to check out your Highlights for more detailed insights or exclusive content.
Engagement Through Storytelling: Focus on storytelling in your Highlights. Instead of just a collection of random posts, build a narrative that ties the Stories together. This can be particularly effective for influencers and brands looking to build emotional connections with their audience.
Highlight Personal Touch: While maintaining your brand identity, don’t shy away from adding a personal touch. Stories about your journey, behind-the-scenes moments, and candid photos can create relatability and foster a stronger bond with your followers.

Creative Ideas for Instagram Highlights

Now that we’ve established the basics and strategies behind Instagram Highlights, let’s delve into some creative ideas you can implement to make your Highlights compelling:

Behind the Scenes: Use this Highlight to give followers a peek behind the curtain. This could include how you create your content, day-to-day business operations, and candid moments that depict your brand’s personality.
User-Generated Content: Highlight the work of your loyal customers or followers. Sharing user-generated content helps to build a community and encourages others to create and share experiences with your brand.
Testimonials: Compile positive reviews or testimonials from happy customers in a Highlight. This serves as social proof that can influence potential clients or customers.
Tutorials and Tips: If you’re an expert in a certain area, create a Highlight dedicated to tips or tutorials. This can help position you as an authority in your niche and provides followers with value.
Milestones or Achievements: Celebrate your milestones, whether it’s reaching a certain number of followers, launching a product, or receiving an award. This gives your audience insight into your growth and achievements.
Events: Document any events or significant moments in your brand’s journey. Whether these are virtual events, workshops, or community outreach programs, displaying these can encourage followers to engage and participate in future activities.
Questions and Answers: Curate a Highlight for frequently asked questions (FAQs). This allows you to answer common queries from followers, thus streamlining communication and providing valuable information.
Special Announcements: Keep your followers updated with a Highlight dedicated to special announcements. Either for launch dates, collaborations, or promotions, this keeps your audience informed and engaged.
Inspirations: Share sources of inspiration pertaining to your niche. This could include quotes, other creators you admire, or trends in your industry that resonate with your brand.
Community Service: If your brand is involved in charitable activities, highlight these contributions. This showcases your values and creates awareness around important causes.

Conclusion

Instagram Highlights are a versatile and engaging feature that can help solidify your brand’s presence on the platform while providing valuable information and experiences to your followers. As social media plays an increasingly pivotal role in how we connect and communicate, utilizing Instagram Highlights for storytelling, organization, and branding can greatly enhance your online presence.

The impact of effectively curated Highlights cannot be overstated, whether you’re an influencer, a small business, or a large corporation. By following the outlined tips and employing creative strategies, you can maximize the potential of Instagram Highlights and foster a deeper connection with your audience. So dive in, get creative, and let your Highlights shine on Instagram!