What Are Instagram Highlights?

Instagram Highlights are collections of Stories that you choose to keep on your profile. Unlike regular Instagram Stories, which disappear after 24 hours, Highlights stay on your profile until you remove them.

Where Do Highlights Appear?

Highlights are displayed as circles below your bio on your Instagram profile. They are one of the first things visitors see when they visit your page.

Why Use Instagram Highlights?

• Keep important Stories: Save and showcase your best Instagram Stories beyond the 24-hour limit.
• Organize content: Group Stories into categories like products, events, or FAQs.
• Enhance profile: Make your Instagram profile more informative and engaging.

Instagram Highlights are a powerful tool to showcase your best content and engage your audience effectively.

Understanding Instagram Highlights

Instagram Highlights are special sections on your Instagram profile where you can save and showcase your Instagram Stories permanently. Unlike regular Stories, which disappear after 24 hours, Highlights stay on your profile until you choose to remove them.

What Are Instagram Highlights?

• Definition: Instagram Highlights are curated collections of your past Instagram Stories. They allow you to organize and display your Stories in a way that visitors can easily view them at any time.
• Purpose: They serve as a way to keep important or favorite Stories accessible beyond their 24-hour lifespan. This is especially useful for sharing evergreen content, such as tutorials, FAQs, or product showcases.

Where Do Highlights Appear?

Highlights appear as circular icons directly below your Instagram bio and above your photo grid on your profile page. Each circle represents a different Highlight category, and when tapped, it plays the Stories contained within that Highlight.

How Do Highlights Work?

• Creating Highlights: You can create a Highlight by selecting Stories from your Story Archive or directly from active Stories. After selecting the Stories, you can name the Highlight and choose a cover image.
• Managing Highlights: You can edit, add to, or remove Stories from a Highlight at any time. This flexibility allows you to keep your Highlights up-to-date and relevant.

By understanding and utilizing Instagram Highlights, you can enhance your profile’s appearance and provide visitors with easy access to your most important content.

How to Create Instagram Highlights

Creating Instagram Highlights is a great way to keep your important Instagram Stories visible on your Instagram profile. There are two main methods to create Highlights: from active Stories and from archived Stories.

Creating Highlights from Active Stories

If you have a Story that’s currently active (within the 24-hour window), you can add it to a Highlight:

1. Open your active Story by tapping your profile picture.
2. At the bottom of the screen, tap the “Highlight” icon (a heart inside a circle).
3. Choose an existing Highlight or tap “New” to create one.
4. If creating a new Highlight, enter a name and tap “Add”.

Your Story will now appear in the selected Highlight on your profile.

Creating Highlights from Archived Stories

If your Story has expired but you’ve enabled the Archive feature, you can still add it to a Highlight:

1. Go to your Instagram profile and tap the “+” button in the Highlights section below your bio.
2. Select the archived Stories you want to include and tap “Next”.
3. Choose a cover image and enter a name for your Highlight.
4. Tap “Add” (iPhone) or “Done” (Android) to create the Highlight.

This method allows you to curate past Stories into organized Highlights on your profile.

By utilizing both methods, you can effectively showcase and categorize your content, making it easily accessible to your followers.

Best Practices for Instagram Highlights

To make your Instagram Highlights effective and engaging, consider these best practices:

1. Organize Highlights by Category

Group your Instagram Stories into clear categories. This helps visitors find the content they’re interested in. For example, you might have Highlights for Products, Events, FAQs, or Behind-the-Scenes. Organizing content thematically enhances the user experience and makes your Instagram profile more navigable.

2. Use Consistent Branding

Maintain a uniform look across your Highlights by using consistent Instagram Highlights covers, colors, and fonts. This consistency reinforces your brand identity and makes your profile visually appealing. Tools like Canva or Adobe Spark can help you design custom covers that align with your branding.

3. Keep Titles Short and Descriptive

Highlight titles should be concise and clearly indicate the content within. Aim for titles with 10-15 characters to ensure they display properly on all devices. Descriptive titles like “FAQs,” “Reviews,” or “Tutorials” help users quickly understand what each Highlight contains.

4. Regularly Update Your Highlights

Keep your Highlights current by adding new Instagram Stories and removing outdated ones. Regular updates show that your profile is active and provide followers with the latest information. This practice keeps your content fresh and relevant.

5. Monitor Performance with Instagram Insights

Use Instagram Insights to track the performance of your Highlights. Analyze metrics like views and engagement to understand what content resonates with your audience. This data can guide your content strategy and help you optimize future Highlights.
Implementing these best practices will enhance the effectiveness of your Instagram Highlights, making your profile more engaging and informative for visitors.

Strategic Uses of Instagram Highlights

Instagram Highlights are powerful tools to showcase your best content and engage your audience effectively. By strategically organizing and presenting your Instagram Stories, you can enhance your profile’s appeal and provide valuable information to your followers.

1. Showcase Products or Services

Create Highlights to display your products or services. This allows potential customers to browse offerings directly from your profile. For instance, you can have separate Highlights for different product categories or collections. This approach makes it easier for followers to find what they’re interested in.

2. Promote Events and Announcements

Use Highlights to share information about upcoming events, product launches, or important announcements. This ensures that followers who may have missed your Stories can still access this information at their convenience.

3. Share Customer Testimonials

Highlight positive feedback from satisfied customers. Sharing testimonials builds trust and credibility, encouraging potential customers to engage with your brand.

4. Provide Tutorials and How-To Guides

Educate your audience by creating Highlights that offer tutorials or step-by-step guides related to your products or services. This adds value and positions your brand as an authority in your niche.

5. Answer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Compile common questions and their answers into a dedicated FAQ Highlight. This provides quick and easy access to important information, reducing the need for followers to reach out with repetitive inquiries.

6. Offer Behind-the-Scenes Content

Give your audience a glimpse into the inner workings of your business. Sharing behind-the-scenes content humanizes your brand and fosters a deeper connection with your followers.
By implementing these strategies, you can effectively utilize Instagram Highlights to enhance your profile, engage your audience, and promote your brand.

Leveraging Instagram Highlights for Business Growth

Instagram Highlights are more than just saved Stories—they’re strategic tools that can significantly boost your business’s growth. By effectively utilizing Highlights, you can enhance your brand’s visibility, engage your audience, and drive conversions.

1. Enhance Brand Visibility

Instagram Highlights allow you to showcase your most important content prominently on your profile. By featuring key information such as product offerings, services, and company values, you provide visitors with immediate insights into your brand. This visibility helps in attracting and retaining potential customers.

2. Build Trust with Testimonials

Featuring customer testimonials in your Highlights can establish credibility and trust. Sharing positive feedback and reviews demonstrates customer satisfaction and can influence potential clients’ purchasing decisions.

3. Drive Sales Through Product Showcases

Use Highlights to display your products or services, making it easier for customers to explore your offerings. By organizing products into categories or collections, you streamline the shopping experience, potentially increasing sales.

4. Educate Your Audience

Create Highlights that provide tutorials, how-to guides, or informative content about your products or services. Educating your audience not only adds value but also positions your brand as an authority in your industry.

5. Monitor Performance with Insights

Utilize Instagram Insights to track the performance of your Highlights. Analyzing metrics such as views and engagement rates can help you understand what content resonates with your audience, allowing you to refine your strategy accordingly.
By strategically leveraging Instagram Highlights, you can create a dynamic and engaging profile that not only attracts visitors but also converts them into loyal customers.

Tools and Resources for Instagram Highlights

Creating engaging Instagram Highlights involves not only curating your best Instagram Stories but also designing appealing covers and analyzing performance. Here are some tools and resources to help you enhance your Instagram Highlights:

Design Tools for Highlight Covers

1. Canva: A user-friendly design platform offering a variety of free templates to create custom Instagram Highlights covers.
2. Adobe Express: Provides customizable templates and design tools to craft personalized Instagram Highlights covers.
3. Fotor: Offers an intuitive interface with a wide selection of templates and icons for designing Instagram Highlights covers.
4. Snappa: Allows for easy creation of highlight covers with the recommended dimensions and a variety of design elements.
5. FlexClip: Provides templates and design tools to create attractive Instagram Highlights covers.

Analytics Tools for Performance Tracking

1. Instagram Insights: Built-in analytics tool that provides data on reach, impressions, and engagement for your Instagram Highlights.
2. Hootsuite: Offers detailed analytics and reporting features to monitor the performance of your Instagram Highlights and overall account.
3. Sprout Social: Provides comprehensive analytics to track engagement and optimize your Instagram Highlights strategy.

Utilizing these tools can help you create visually appealing Instagram Highlights covers and gain insights into their performance, enabling you to refine your strategy and enhance your Instagram profile.

Conclusion

Instagram Highlights are a powerful feature that allows you to showcase your most important Instagram Stories on your Instagram profile permanently. By organizing your Stories into Highlights, you provide visitors with quick access to key content, enhancing their experience and understanding of your brand.

Benefits of Using Instagram Highlights

• Extended Visibility: Unlike regular Instagram Stories that disappear after 24 hours, Highlights remain on your profile indefinitely, ensuring that valuable content is always accessible.
• Improved Organization: By categorizing your Stories into different Highlights, such as Products, Events, or FAQs, you make it easier for visitors to find the information they’re interested in.
• Enhanced Branding: Custom Instagram Highlights covers and titles allow you to maintain a consistent brand aesthetic, making your profile more visually appealing.
• Increased Engagement: Highlights can drive more interaction by directing followers to specific content, such as tutorials, testimonials, or promotions.

Final Thoughts

Incorporating Instagram Highlights into your social media strategy is a simple yet effective way to enhance your profile’s functionality and appeal. By thoughtfully curating and organizing your Stories, you provide a more engaging and informative experience for your audience.
Start leveraging Instagram Highlights today to showcase your best content, tell your brand’s story, and connect more deeply with your followers.