Highlights: Everything You Need To Know

Understand the purpose of Instagram Highlights, a way to preserve and showcase your Stories beyond their 24-hour lifespan on your profile.

What Does "Highlight" Mean in Instagram Terms?

In the realm of Instagram, a "Highlight" refers to a feature that allows users to compile and preserve their Instagram Stories beyond the standard 24-hour lifespan. These curated collections are prominently displayed on a user's profile, just below the bio section, and can be organized into thematic albums. Highlights serve as a versatile tool for influencers to showcase their most memorable content, partnerships, or personal moments, effectively creating a narrative portfolio that is accessible to their audience at any time.

For example, a travel influencer might create separate Highlights for each country they visit, while a fashion influencer could have Highlights for different styles or seasons. This feature is particularly useful for new followers who wish to catch up on past content without scrolling through the entire feed.

How Can Influencers Use Instagram Highlights to Engage Their Audience?

Influencers use Instagram Highlights as a strategic method to engage and retain their audience's attention. By organizing Stories into Highlights, influencers can categorize content in a way that is easily digestible and appealing to their followers. This not only enhances the user experience by simplifying navigation but also allows influencers to continuously showcase their brand partnerships, testimonials, or personal anecdotes without the constraint of the ephemeral nature of Stories.

An influencer might use Highlights to create a series of "How-to" tutorials, FAQs, or behind-the-scenes glimpses, which can help in building a deeper connection with their audience. Additionally, by updating Highlights regularly, influencers can keep their profile dynamic and give followers a reason to revisit their page.

Are Instagram Highlights Important for Brand Collaborations?

Yes, Instagram Highlights are crucial for brand collaborations. They offer influencers a permanent space to feature sponsored content, which can increase the visibility and longevity of promotional campaigns. By creating dedicated Highlights for brand partnerships, influencers provide a clear and organized way for their followers to view and engage with sponsored content, which can be particularly beneficial for brands looking to maximize their investment.

For instance, an influencer might have a Highlight titled "Brand Collabs," where they save all their promotional Stories. This not only serves as an easily accessible portfolio for potential future collaborators but also reassures brands that their message will remain visible beyond the fleeting nature of Stories, potentially leading to more fruitful and sustained partnerships.

Dos and Don'ts of Highlighting Your Social Media Presence

Do's

Do engage with your audience regularly by responding to comments and messages to build a strong community.
Do use high-quality visuals and consistent branding to make your profile stand out and be memorable.
Do analyze your performance data to understand what content resonates with your audience and optimize your strategy accordingly.

Don'ts

Don't ignore the importance of captions; they provide context and can encourage more engagement from your followers.
Don't buy followers or engage in inauthentic activities to inflate your presence; it can damage your credibility and the trust of your audience.
Don't over-post or spam your followers with too much content, as it can lead to unfollows and reduced engagement.

How to Highlight on Instagram

1. Open Instagram

To start highlighting on Instagram, open the Instagram app on your mobile device.

2. Go to your profile

Tap on the profile icon located at the bottom right corner of the screen to access your profile.

3. Tap on the "New" button

Once you're on your profile, tap on the "New" button located below your bio section.

4. Select the content you want to highlight

Choose the posts or stories from your profile that you want to add to the highlight.

5. Create a highlight name

Give your highlight a name that represents the content you're adding to it.

6. Customize your highlight cover

You can choose a cover photo or create a custom cover for your highlight to make it visually appealing.

7. Tap on "Add" or "Done"

Finally, tap on the "Add" or "Done" button to save your highlight to your profile.

What Are Ideas for Highlight

1. Creative Ways to Use Highlight Covers

If you're looking to make your Instagram profile stand out, consider using highlight covers to organize your stories. These covers can be customized to match your brand or aesthetic, and can help your followers easily navigate through your story highlights. Some ideas for highlight covers include using icons, patterns, or colors that represent your brand or the content of your highlights.

Create highlight covers with icons that represent different categories or themes of your content.
Design highlight covers with patterns or colors that match your brand's color palette.
Use highlight covers to showcase your best content or important announcements.
Experiment with different styles and designs to find what resonates with your audience.
Update your highlight covers regularly to keep your profile fresh and engaging.

2. Highlighting Behind-the-Scenes Moments

One way to engage your audience and give them a glimpse into your life or business is by using highlights to showcase behind-the-scenes moments. This can include sneak peeks of upcoming projects, behind-the-scenes footage of photo shoots or events, or a day in the life of your business. By sharing these behind-the-scenes moments, you can create a sense of authenticity and connection with your followers.

Share behind-the-scenes footage of your creative process or workspace.
Give sneak peeks of upcoming products or projects.
Showcase behind-the-scenes moments from events or collaborations.
Share a day in the life of your business or personal life.
Engage with your audience by asking them to guess what's happening in the behind-the-scenes photos or videos.

3. Highlighting User-Generated Content

Highlighting user-generated content is a great way to showcase your community and build a sense of inclusivity. Encourage your followers to tag you or use a specific hashtag when they create content related to your brand or niche. Then, select the best user-generated content and feature it in a dedicated highlight. This not only shows appreciation for your followers but also encourages others to create content and engage with your brand.

Ask your followers to tag you or use a specific hashtag when they create content related to your brand.
Select the best user-generated content and feature it in a dedicated highlight.
Give credit to the creators by mentioning their usernames or handles in the highlight.
Encourage your followers to engage with the featured user-generated content by liking, commenting, or sharing.
Regularly update the user-generated content highlight to showcase new submissions.

4. Educational Highlights

Use highlights as a platform to educate and provide value to your audience. This can include sharing tips, tutorials, or informative content related to your niche. By positioning yourself as an expert or a source of valuable information, you can attract and retain followers who are interested in learning from you.

Create tutorials or step-by-step guides related to your niche.
Share tips and tricks that can help your audience solve common problems or achieve specific goals.
Provide informative content that educates your audience about your industry or niche.
Collaborate with other experts or influencers to create educational content.
Encourage your followers to ask questions or suggest topics for future educational highlights.

5. Highlighting Product or Service Features

If you have a product or service to offer, use highlights to showcase its features and benefits. This can include product demonstrations, customer testimonials, or before-and-after examples. By highlighting the value and unique selling points of your product or service, you can attract potential customers and generate interest in what you have to offer.

Create product demonstrations or tutorials to showcase how your product or service works.
Share customer testimonials or success stories to build trust and credibility.
Show before-and-after examples to demonstrate the transformation or results your product or service can provide.
Highlight any special features or benefits that set your product or service apart from competitors.
Include a call-to-action in your product or service highlights to encourage viewers to make a purchase or inquire for more information.