IG Stories Highlights: Everything You Need To Know

Explore IG Stories Highlights, a feature that lets you curate and showcase your favorite expired stories on your profile for lasting engagement.

What Are Instagram Stories Highlights?

Instagram Stories Highlights are a feature that allows users to curate and showcase selected stories in a dedicated space on their profile. Unlike regular Instagram Stories, which disappear after 24 hours, Stories Highlights can be permanently displayed on a user's profile, providing a way for influencers and brands to categorize and preserve content for their followers to view at any time. This feature is particularly useful for maintaining a cohesive brand image and for keeping important information or favorite memories easily accessible.

Examples of how influencers use Highlights include creating themed collections such as "Travel," "Daily Tips," or "Behind the Scenes," where they can continuously add relevant stories. This helps new followers quickly catch up on past content without having to scroll through the entire feed.

How Can You Create Instagram Stories Highlights?

To create Instagram Stories Highlights, you must first have an active story. Once the story is live, you can press the 'Highlight' heart icon at the bottom of the story screen. Then, you can either add the story to an existing Highlight or create a new one by naming it and customizing its cover. The Highlight will then appear as a circular bubble on your profile, which users can tap to view the curated stories. You can add more stories to a Highlight at any time or remove them as needed.

Influencers often customize their Highlight covers with branded graphics or consistent imagery to enhance their profile's aesthetic. This not only makes their profile more visually appealing but also helps with brand recognition and user navigation.

Why Are Instagram Stories Highlights Important for Influencers?

Instagram Stories Highlights are important for influencers because they provide a platform to showcase their best work, collaborations, and personal brand. They act as a portfolio or a curated collection that can highlight an influencer's niche, expertise, or sponsored content. By strategically organizing Highlights, influencers can guide their audience's attention to content that they want to promote or content that resonates most with their brand identity.

For instance, a beauty influencer might have separate Highlights for makeup tutorials, product reviews, and skincare routines, making it easier for followers to find and engage with the content they're interested in. This level of organization can also attract potential brand partnerships, as it demonstrates the influencer's ability to create and maintain a professional and engaging online presence.

Dos and Don'ts of IG Stories Highlights

Do's

Do curate your highlights strategically to showcase your brand's best moments and offerings.
Do update your highlights regularly to keep your content fresh and engaging for your audience.
Do use eye-catching cover images and coherent titles for your highlights to make them easily navigable and visually appealing.

Don'ts

Don't overcrowd your profile with too many highlights, which can overwhelm your followers and dilute your key messages.
Don't neglect the analytics; always check which highlights perform well to understand your audience's preferences.
Don't forget to align your highlights with your overall brand aesthetic and tone to maintain consistency across your profile.

How to Create Instagram Stories Highlights

1. Access Your Instagram Profile

To create Instagram Stories Highlights, first, open the Instagram app and navigate to your profile page by tapping on your profile picture at the bottom right corner of the screen.

2. Tap on the "+" Icon

Once you are on your profile page, locate the "+" icon right below your bio section and tap on it.

3. Select Your Stories

A list of your recent stories will appear. Choose the stories you want to add to your highlights by tapping on them. You can select multiple stories.

4. Customize Cover Image

After selecting your stories, you can customize the cover image for your highlights. You can choose a cover from one of the selected stories or upload a new image from your gallery.

5. Add a Title

Next, add a title to your highlights. This will be displayed on your profile page, giving your followers an idea of what the highlights are about.

6. Arrange the Order

If you have multiple highlights, you can arrange their order by pressing and holding on a highlight and dragging it to the desired position.

7. Publish Your Highlights

Once you are satisfied with your highlights, tap on the "Add" or "Done" button to publish them to your profile. Your highlights will now be visible to your followers.

What Are Ideas for Instagram Stories Highlights?

1. Highlighting Product Features

One idea for Instagram Stories Highlights is to showcase the key features of your product. This can help potential customers understand the unique selling points and benefits of your product.

Create a highlight dedicated to each feature of your product.
Use visually appealing images or videos to demonstrate the features.
Add brief descriptions or captions to provide more information.
Include links or swipe-up options to direct viewers to your website or product page.
Regularly update the highlights with new features or improvements.

2. Behind-the-Scenes Sneak Peeks

Another idea for Instagram Stories Highlights is to give your audience a behind-the-scenes look at your business or creative process. This can help humanize your brand and build a stronger connection with your followers.

Share behind-the-scenes footage or photos of your workspace, team, or production process.
Add captions or stories to provide context and engage your audience.
Showcase the effort and dedication that goes into your work.
Highlight any unique or interesting aspects of your business.
Encourage interaction by asking questions or seeking feedback from your audience.

3. Customer Testimonials and Reviews

Utilizing customer testimonials and reviews in your Instagram Stories Highlights can help build trust and credibility for your brand. It allows potential customers to see real-life experiences and positive feedback from satisfied customers.

Collect and curate customer testimonials and reviews.
Create highlights dedicated to showcasing these testimonials.
Include images or videos of happy customers using your product or service.
Add captions or quotes from the testimonials to highlight key points.
Regularly update the highlights with new testimonials to keep the content fresh.

4. How-To Guides and Tutorials

Sharing how-to guides and tutorials through Instagram Stories Highlights can provide value to your audience and position your brand as an expert in your industry. It allows you to share knowledge, tips, and tricks related to your products or services.

Create step-by-step guides or tutorials for using your products.
Use images, videos, or slides to visually demonstrate the process.
Add captions or descriptions to explain each step clearly.
Include any necessary links or resources for further information.
Encourage your audience to try out the tutorials and share their results.

5. Exclusive Offers and Promotions

Instagram Stories Highlights can be a great platform to promote exclusive offers and discounts to your followers. This can create a sense of urgency and encourage them to take action.

Create highlights dedicated to showcasing exclusive offers or promotions.
Use eye-catching visuals and compelling captions to grab attention.
Include clear instructions on how to redeem the offer or claim the discount.
Set a limited time frame to create a sense of urgency.
Regularly update the highlights with new offers or promotions to keep your audience engaged.