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Imagine visiting an Instagram profile for the first time. What catches your attention? Most likely, it’s the bio, the profile picture, and those circular icons under the bio—the Instagram Highlights. They let you pin your best Stories, making them easily accessible to anyone visiting your profile.
If you’re wondering how Highlights can transform your Instagram business strategy or even why they matter at all then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Instagram Highlights and also how they can make a difference.
What Are Instagram Highlights?
Instagram Highlights are like curated playlists of your Instagram Stories. Normally, Stories disappear after 24 hours, but Highlights let you save and showcase them indefinitely. These circular icons sit below your bio and above your feed, giving your followers (and potential followers) a quick peek into your brand or personality.
Think of Highlights as your virtual showcase. For a personal profile, they can showcase your travels, hobbies, or special moments. Likewise, for a business, they’re perfect for displaying products, customer reviews, FAQs, or behind-the-scenes content. The best part is that Highlights are fully customisable. You can name them, organise them, and also even create custom covers to match your aesthetic. This personal touch makes them not just functional but also visually appealing.
How to Create Instagram Highlights
Creating Instagram Highlights is a straightforward process, even if you’re new to the platform. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to get you started:
- Post to Your Instagram Story
First, upload the content you want to highlight to your Instagram Story. It could be a photo, video, or even a text update. Remember, only content that has been posted to your Story can be added to Highlights. - Save Your Story to Highlights
- Go to your active Story while it’s still live (within 24 hours of posting).
- At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a heart-shaped “Highlight” icon. Tap it.
- Choose an existing Highlight to add your Story to, or create a new one by typing a name.
- Edit and Organise Your Highlights
- Once saved, go to your profile and hold down on a Highlight. A menu will appear, giving you the option to edit it.
- You can add or remove Stories, rename the Highlight, or update the cover photo.
- Use Custom Covers for Branding
To give your profile a polished look, create custom covers using tools like Canva or Photoshop. Upload the design as a Story, and then set it as the Highlight’s cover.
The Importance of Instagram Highlights
Instagram Highlights are more than just a neat way to showcase past Stories. They’re a powerful tool for branding, engagement, as well as storytelling. Below are their main importance:
- Extending the Lifespan of Your Content
Normally, Stories disappear after 24 hours. However, Highlights ensure that your best Stories remain visible indefinitely. This is especially useful for sharing important updates, promotions, or evergreen content. - Creating a Great First Impression
Highlights sit prominently below your bio on your profile. They’re also one of the first things visitors see, making them perfect for giving a quick overview of what your account offers. For businesses, this is a chance to showcase your products, services, or brand. - Organising Your Content
Highlights let you categorise your Stories into themes or topics. For example:- A fashion blogger might have Highlights for “Outfits,” “Beauty Tips,” and “Travel.”
- A business could create categories such as “About Us,” “Customer Reviews,” and “FAQs.”
- Driving Engagement and Sales
You can use Highlights to promote products, share tutorials, or answer common questions. For example, if you’re a dropshipper, you could have a “Shop Now” Highlight with direct links to your products. - Showcasing Your Personality
Highlights let you go beyond polished posts and share more casual, behind-the-scenes moments. This helps followers connect with you on a personal level and builds trust.
How to Create Highlights
Creating Instagram Highlights is incredibly simple, and the process allows you to fully customise them to suit your style or brand. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get started:
- Start with Instagram Stories
Since Highlights are saved Stories, the first step is to upload content to your Instagram Stories. This could be anything—photos, videos, text posts, or even polls.- Keep in mind that only Stories posted after the “Archive” feature was enabled can be saved to Highlights.
- Enable Story Archiving
- Go to your Instagram settings and ensure that the “Save to Archive” option is turned on.
- This ensures that all your Stories are automatically saved for future use.
- Create Your Highlight
- Visit your Instagram profile and click the “+” sign below your bio.
- Select the Stories you want to include in the Highlight from your archive.
- Give your Highlight a catchy title that summarises the content.
- Customise Your Highlight Cover
The cover is the first thing people see, so make it eye-catching:- You can use a specific Story from the Highlight or upload a custom image as the cover.
- Many creators design custom covers using tools like Canva to match their brand aesthetic.
- Organise and Update Regularly
- Arrange your Highlights in an order that makes sense for your audience. For instance, place the most important or frequently viewed ones first.
- Keep them fresh by adding new content and archiving outdated ones.
Creative Ideas for Using Instagram Highlights
Instagram Highlights aren’t just for organising content; they’re a powerful tool to showcase your creativity and also connect with your audience.
Here are some ways to use them effectively:
- Behind-the-Scenes Content
Everyone loves a peek behind the curtain. Share behind-the-scenes moments, whether it’s the process of creating your product, setting up for an event, or everyday activities. This humanises your brand and builds a stronger connection with your followers. - FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Save time and engage your audience by creating a Highlight dedicated to answering common questions. For example, include questions about your services, shipping policies, or how-to guides. It’s a win-win for both you and your audience. - Customer Testimonials and Reviews
Build trust by showcasing testimonials from happy customers. Compile screenshots, videos, or posts where people have raved about your brand. - Educational Content
Use Highlights to educate your audience. For instance, if you’re a skincare brand, share tips on how to use your products or address common skincare issues. If you’re a travel blogger, create guides for different destinations. - Product or Service Showcase
Turn your Highlights into a mini-catalogue. Organise them by categories, such as “New Arrivals,” “Best Sellers,” or “On Sale”. Use Stories to demonstrate how products work or share styling tips. - Events and Announcements
Do you have an upcoming event or sale? Create a Highlight for it. Include event details, teaser content, and countdowns. After the event, replace the content with photos or videos from the day to keep the Highlight relevant. - Themes and Campaigns
Dedicate Highlights to specific themes or campaigns. For example, a fitness influencer might create Highlights for “Workouts”, “Healthy Recipes”, and “Progress Stories”. Campaign Highlights are especially useful for brands during marketing launches.
Standard Practices for Instagram Highlights
To make the most out of Instagram Highlights, you need to use them strategically. Here are some best practices that can help you optimise your Highlights and ensure they resonate with your audience:
- Keep Them Organised
Avoid clutter by grouping similar Stories under specific categories. For example, separate “Product Demos” from “Customer Reviews” or “FAQs.” Clear organisation makes it easier for followers to find the information they need. - Use Catchy Titles
Your Highlight titles should grab attention while being concise. For instance, instead of “New Products,” go for “Fresh Picks” or “Hot Drops.” Keep it short and engaging, as titles are cut off after a certain number of characters. - Design Eye-Catching Covers
Highlight covers create a visual impact and make your profile look polished. Use cohesive colours, fonts, and icons that align with your brand identity. Free design tools like Canva can help you create custom covers effortlessly. - Update Regularly
Don’t let your Highlights gather dust. Remove outdated content and replace it with fresh, relevant Stories. For instance, if a sale has ended, update the Highlight to showcase your latest promotions or best-sellers. - Focus on Quality Over Quantity
Less is more when it comes to Highlights. Instead of overwhelming followers with too many categories, focus on the ones that provide the most value. Finally, stick to the essentials that represent your brand effectively. - Tell a Story
Highlights are an extension of Instagram Stories, so make sure they’re cohesive. Arrange the Stories within each Highlight to create a narrative flow. For instance, a “Behind-the-Scenes” Highlight could take viewers through the process you go through to deliver products or services step by step.
Conclusion
Instagram Highlights are more than just a decorative feature. In conclusion, they’re a powerful tool to showcase your brand, connect with your audience, and drive engagement.
By organising your content, using creative ideas, and following standard practices, you can turn your Highlights into a mini-portfolio that works 24/7 for your business or personal brand.
Now that you know everything about Instagram Highlights, it’s time to put this knowledge into action. Start by curating your best stories and categorising them into meaningful Highlights. Don’t forget to update them regularly and also keep them aligned with your brand’s goals.
Got any creative Highlight ideas or tips to share? Drop them in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you.
