Are you a beginner on Instagram and feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the features? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! In this friendly guide, we’ll introduce you to Instagram Highlights and demystify what they are all about. Instagram Highlights are a nifty way to showcase your favorite stories and keep them on your profile for longer than the usual 24 hours. They allow you to add a personal touch to your profile by creating curated collections of moments that represent you. So, let’s dive into this beginner’s guide and get you started on creating eye-catching and engaging Instagram Highlights!
What are Instagram Highlights?
Definition of Instagram Highlights
Instagram Highlights are a feature on the popular social media platform that allows users to save and showcase their favorite Instagram Stories on their profile page. Unlike regular Stories, which disappear after 24 hours, Highlights remain visible on a user’s profile until they are manually removed.
Purpose of Instagram Highlights
The main purpose of Instagram Highlights is to give users the ability to curate and organize their best and most important content for their followers to see. It serves as a way to highlight key moments, events, or themes that a user wants to share and keep easily accessible on their profile.
How Instagram Highlights work
Instagram Highlights are located just below the bio section on a user’s profile page. When a user adds a Story to their Highlights, it is saved in a separate section that is accessible by tapping on the dedicated circle icon representing each Highlight. Each Highlight can contain multiple Stories, creating a collection of content that can be viewed and re-watched by followers.
Creating Instagram Highlights
Accessing Highlights feature
To create Instagram Highlights, you need to have an active Instagram account. Once you have logged in to your account, navigate to your profile page by tapping on your profile picture in the bottom right corner of the screen. At the top of your profile page, you will see the option to add a new Highlight.
Selecting and grouping Stories
After tapping on the “New” button to create a Highlight, you will be prompted to select the Stories you want to include in that Highlight. You can choose individual Stories or select multiple ones at once. Once you have selected the desired Stories, tap on the “Next” button to proceed.
Customizing cover images
After selecting the Stories, you can choose a cover image for your Highlight. Instagram will automatically select the first image of your chosen Stories as the cover image, but you also have the option to change it. To change the cover image, tap on the “Edit Cover” button and select a different image from the Stories within that Highlight.
Choosing highlight names
Once you have customized the cover image, you can give your Highlight a name. This name will appear on your profile page, and you should choose something descriptive that accurately represents the content of your Highlight. After naming your Highlight, tap on the “Add” button to complete the process.
Managing Instagram Highlights
Adding Stories to existing Highlights
If you want to add more Stories to an existing Highlight, simply tap on that Highlight from your profile page. Then, tap on the “More” button (three dots) at the bottom right corner of the screen. From the options that appear, select “Edit Highlight” and then “Add” to choose new Stories to add to that Highlight.
Removing Stories from Highlights
If you no longer want a particular Story to be included in a Highlight, follow the same steps as adding Stories, but instead of selecting “Add,” select “Remove” next to the Story you want to remove.
Reordering Highlights
To change the order of your Highlights on your profile page, tap and hold on a Highlight and drag it to the desired position. This allows you to showcase your most important or timely Highlights first, giving your followers a better understanding of your content.
Deleting Highlights
If you want to delete a Highlight entirely, go to your profile page, tap on the Highlight you want to remove, tap on the “More” button (three dots), and select “Delete Highlight” from the options. Confirm the deletion, and the Highlight will be permanently removed from your profile.
Highlight Cover Images
Understanding cover images
A cover image is the thumbnail that represents a Highlight on your profile page. It is the first image that viewers see when they visit your profile. The cover image should be visually appealing and give a glimpse into the content of that particular Highlight.
Using custom cover images
As mentioned earlier, Instagram automatically selects the first image of your chosen Stories as the cover image for a Highlight. However, you can change this cover image to better represent its content. This customization allows you to have more control over the aesthetic and branding of your profile.
Creating branded cover images
If you want to take your Instagram Highlights to the next level, you can create branded cover images that are consistent with your overall visual style. This can involve using your brand logo, specific brand colors, or design elements that align with your brand identity. By maintaining a consistent and cohesive look across your Highlights, you can create a more professional and visually appealing profile.
Creative Ideas for Instagram Highlights
Highlighting product features
If you have a business or sell products on Instagram, you can use Highlights to showcase the features and benefits of your products. By creating separate Highlights for different categories or types of products, you can make it easier for your audience to browse and learn about what you have to offer.
Sharing user-generated content
Instagram is known for its vibrant community, and user-generated content (UGC) plays a significant role. Use Highlights to showcase the best UGC related to your brand or products. This not only gives recognition to your followers but also encourages others to create and share content about your brand.
Presenting behind-the-scenes content
Give your followers a sneak peek into your behind-the-scenes process by creating a Highlight dedicated to showcasing the inner workings of your brand or daily routines. This can create a sense of intimacy and authenticity, allowing your audience to feel more connected to your brand.
Showcasing promotions and discounts
Running a special promotion or offering discounts? Create a Highlight specifically for these limited-time offers. This makes it easy for your followers to find and access the details of your promotions, ultimately driving more engagement and sales.
Promoting your Brand with Highlights
Using Highlights for brand storytelling
Instagram Highlights provide an excellent opportunity to showcase your brand’s story and values. Use a combination of images, videos, and text to create Highlights that tell the story of your brand, its mission, and the unique journey that has brought you to where you are today.
Showcasing customer testimonials
Highlighting customer testimonials is a powerful way to build trust and credibility. Create a Highlight that features positive reviews, feedback, or testimonials from your satisfied customers. This social proof can convince potential customers to trust your brand and make a purchase.
Creating step-by-step tutorials
If your brand offers products or services that require instructions or guidance, consider creating step-by-step tutorials as Highlights. Whether it’s a makeup tutorial, a recipe guide, or DIY instructions, these tutorials can serve as valuable resources for your audience and showcase your expertise in your particular niche.
Highlighting influencer collaborations
If you collaborate with influencers or have brand partnerships, create Highlights dedicated to these collaborations. This not only gives recognition to the influencers but also helps to amplify your brand’s reach and attract followers who may be interested in the influencers you work with.
Analyzing Instagram Highlight Insights
Accessing Insights for Highlights
To gain insights about your Instagram Highlights, navigate to your profile page and tap on the Highlight you want to analyze. At the bottom of the screen, you will see the “More” button (three dots). Tap on it, and from the options that appear, select “Insights.” This will provide you with valuable data and metrics regarding the engagement and performance of that particular Highlight.
Understanding engagement metrics
Instagram Insights for Highlights provide information about the number of views, interactions, and reach your Highlight has received. This data allows you to gauge the effectiveness and popularity of your Highlights and make informed decisions about your content strategy.
Gaining insights about audience preferences
By analyzing the performance of your Instagram Highlights, you can gain insights into your audience’s preferences and interests. Pay attention to which Highlights receive the most engagement and determine which type of content resonates best with your audience. This information can help you tailor your future content to better suit your followers’ preferences.
Best Practices for Instagram Highlights
Keeping a consistent aesthetic
When creating Instagram Highlights, aim for a consistent visual style and theme. This includes using a similar color palette, typography, and overall design elements. Consistency in your Highlights creates a cohesive and visually appealing profile that is more likely to attract and engage followers.
Organizing Highlights by category
To make it easier for your followers to navigate your Highlights, consider organizing them into categories. This can be based on product lines, topics, or any other classification that aligns with your brand’s content. By categorizing your Highlights, you create a more user-friendly experience for your audience.
Regularly updating and refreshing content
Keep your Highlights fresh and engaging by regularly adding new content and updating existing ones. This shows your followers that you are active and committed to providing them with valuable content. Additionally, regularly updating your Highlights allows you to showcase your newest products, promotions, or achievements to keep your audience informed.
Utilizing relevant hashtags and keywords
To increase the discoverability of your Instagram Highlights, consider using relevant hashtags and keywords in the title, description, or captions of your Highlights. This can help attract new followers who are searching for specific topics or interests related to your brand.
Instagram Highlights vs. Instagram Stories
Differences between Highlights and Stories
The main difference between Instagram Highlights and Stories is their lifespan. While Stories disappear after 24 hours, Highlights remain visible on your profile until you choose to remove them. Additionally, Highlights can contain multiple Stories, whereas individual Stories can only be viewed in chronological order within a 24-hour timeframe.
Choosing the right format for your content
Deciding between using Instagram Highlights or regular Stories depends on the nature and purpose of your content. If you want to share more permanent and curated content, Highlights are the better option. However, if you have time-sensitive or spontaneous content, Stories are the way to go.
How to repurpose Stories into Highlights
To repurpose a Story into a Highlight, simply tap on the “Highlight” button at the bottom right corner of the screen after uploading a Story. From there, you can choose an existing Highlight to add the Story to, or create a new Highlight. This allows you to extend the lifespan of your Story and make it easily accessible to your followers.
Conclusion
Summary of Instagram Highlights benefits
Instagram Highlights offer users a way to save and showcase their favorite Stories for a longer duration. They provide a means to curate, organize, and present content that is important and relevant to both individuals and brands on the platform.
Key takeaways for beginners
For beginners, Instagram Highlights can seem overwhelming, but they are a valuable tool for enhancing your Instagram profile. Remember to select and group Stories that align with your content strategy, customize cover images and names to create a visually appealing profile, and regularly update and refresh your Highlights to keep your audience engaged. By utilizing best practices and exploring creative ideas, you can leverage Instagram Highlights to grow your brand, engage your audience, and showcase your unique content.
