Instagram Updates and News 2026

Instagram is testing a new feature called Series that lets creators group related Reels into a dedicated profile hub, complete with a “Watch Next” button so viewers can binge episodes in sequence rather than hunting for them in the feed.

The feature, spotted so far by creator @JuliaBroome, appears to be part of Meta’s broader push to make Instagram feel more like traditional TV, following last month’s expansion of Instagram for TV to Samsung Smart TVs. Series is currently in limited testing only, with no official Meta announcement yet on a wider rollout.

Instagram has added five more languages: Japanese, Korean, French, German, and Italian to its AI-powered Reels translation feature, which not only translates audio and captions but also syncs the creator’s mouth movements to match the new language. The feature remains limited to creators with over 1,000 followers, who can select two languages per translation, review the AI syncing, and turn it off if the lip-sync results look unnatural.

Meta is rolling out clearer AI disclosure labels on Facebook and Instagram ads, aligning them with its broader ad transparency overhaul and applying them regardless of whether the AI content came from Meta’s own tools or third-party generators like Photoshop or DALL-E. The label appears in the “About this ad” section and triggers only when AI significantly alters an image or video, not for minor tweaks, and Meta detects outside AI tools using the C2PA metadata standard.

Instagram head Adam Mosseri confirmed that Instagram will move to a subscription model for its in-app AI tools, after users hit daily usage caps on features like the Muse image model and are told to subscribe for more access.

Mosseri said the shift reflects the high cost of running these AI models, following Meta’s broader push toward AI monetization, including the recently launched Instagram Plus add-on and Meta One’s tiered access to AI glasses features. It marks the clearest confirmation yet that Meta will pass some of its ballooning AI infrastructure costs on to consumers.

Meta has launched Muse Image, an AI image generation model, with a feature that automatically allows anyone to generate AI images using your public Instagram photos simply by tagging your username in a prompt (and you won’t even receive a notification when it happens).

To prevent this from happening, you need to manually opt out by going to Instagram Settings > Sharing and reuse and toggling off the Posts and Reels options.

Worth noting: opting out only stops future generations. Any AI images already created using your content will not be deleted.

Instagram published a new guide on how to make the most of Stories. It covers everything from posting your first story to using stickers, polls, music, AI restyle tools and countdown timers. When you use Stories every day, it’s easy to go on autopilot, but reading this guide might remind you just how many creative ways there are to leverage this format in your strategy.

Instagram is rolling out video recording in the instant DM camera, letting you record and send videos on the spot. This feature has previously been limited to photos only. It’s a small but useful upgrade that makes Instagram DMs feel a lot closer to a full messaging experience.

The Edits app has been updated with bilingual captions in 15 languages, which lets creators automatically translate captions to reach wider audiences without manual work.

There’s also a new overlay support for layered visuals, clip locking for precise editing, and summer-themed sound effects.

Instagram is again displaying carousel posts with music in the “Reels” tab.

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Instagram is testing four new ways for users to influence their recommendations:

• a pull-down home screen shortcut to the Your Algorithm panel
• in-stream topic controls between Reels
• quick function bar signals for recommended Reels
• and conversational prompts that let users refine their feed without manually selecting topics.

You’ll find more info on this topic in this article.

Instagram has expanded its smart TV app to let users watch Stories and cast Reels from their phones to Samsung, Amazon Fire, and Google TV devices.

Meta is also working with creators to develop long-form, horizontal, episodic content specifically for the TV format, similar to the microdramas gaining traction on TikTok. The move signals a broader shift toward longer content designed to be watched on the couch rather than on a phone screen.

Instagram has rolled out per-slide captions for carousel posts, allowing users to write individual captions for each slide rather than a single caption for the whole post.

When creating a carousel, you can now choose between a single caption or multiple captions via a drop-down menu, with each caption appearing at the bottom of the screen as viewers swipe through.

Meta announced a desktop version of its Edits video editing app, along with an AI-powered production assistant that can suggest content ideas and provide tips based on post performance data.

This week’s update also includes new transition effects, expanded inspiration based on trending Instagram content, the ability to create multiple project versions, and a new beta tab for testing experimental features early. For social media managers in particular, desktop access makes Edits a much easier tool to integrate into a broader content workflow and with AI guidance built in, it’s starting to look less like a mobile editing app and more like a full creative suite.

Instagram has expanded its “Your Algorithm” topic preference feature to the main feed, allowing users to select and adjust topics based on their in-app activity.

The feature was first tested for Reels in October 2025, then extended to Explore in April 2026, and is now rolling out to the main feed. Instagram head Adam Mosseri acknowledged the shift openly, noting that AI-driven recommendations had quietly eroded users’ sense of control and hinting that future AI tools could eventually personalize not just the feed, but the entire structure of the app itself.

Instagram’s Grid Reordering feature has officially launched globally, letting users drag and drop posts into any order they like.

This isn’t entirely new territory: the feature was first teased back in June 2025 when Instagram head Adam Mosseri announced a push toward more creative freedom on the platform, and we covered how it works back in December 2025.

Meta is rolling out its 13+ content settings to Teen Accounts worldwide across Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger, after launching them last October in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada. The default setting is designed to hide age-inappropriate content in feeds and limit teens’ interactions with profiles, pages, and groups that regularly post it. A stricter “Limited Content” option is also coming to Facebook and Messenger later this year.

Instagram is also testing a new system to stop teens from repeatedly seeing certain types of content in Explore, Feed, and Reels, including posts about nutrition, weightlifting, or anxiety, which can be useful in moderation but harmful when shown on loop. To back up the rollout, Meta commissioned an external audit from safety firm Alice (formerly ActiveFence), which found that teens in the default setting saw 68% less mature content than on a competing platform, and 96% less in the stricter setting.

Meta has launched paid subscription tiers across Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, with Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus priced at around $3.99/month and WhatsApp Plus at $2.99/month, offering features like extended Stories, anonymous viewing, advanced analytics, and enhanced AI tools, while keeping the core apps free.

The global rollout has already begun, with ad-free options also available in the EU and UK. And this may just be the beginning: Meta is reportedly testing a broader bundle called “Meta One”, pointing toward a future where social media is increasingly personalized, AI-driven, and subscription-based.

Instagram is testing a new feature that lets users add up to five interest topics to their profile.

It’s not a brand new idea: Instagram previously tested a similar “Picks” feature, and Threads has already experimented with the same concept. The move signals Instagram is trying to rebalance its identity away from being purely a Reels entertainment feed and back toward genuine social connection.

Instagram has rolled out a native teleprompter tool inside the Reels recording interface, letting creators scroll through scripts on-screen while filming so you won’t need third-party apps, printed notes or retakes.

The feature is super useful for educators, coaches, and product reviewers who rely on scripted talking-head content but have historically struggled to film it cleanly in one take. It’s the latest in a string of creator-focused updates from Instagram, signaling the platform is seriously competing for professional creators who need production-friendly, built-in tools.

Instagram officially launched Instants, a new feature that lets you share spontaneous, unfiltered photos with close friends or mutual followers directly from your DMs — photos disappear once viewed and expire after 24 hours.

You can also compile your sent Instants into a Story recap, and a standalone app is rolling out in select countries for quicker camera access. It’s opt-in, screenshot-proof, and fully integrated with Teen Accounts and parental supervision.

Instagram is launching a new opt-in “AI Creator” label for accounts that regularly use AI tools to produce content, displaying the tag on both the creator’s profile and their posts.

The move builds on Instagram’s existing post-level “AI info” labels and aims to reduce confusion as AI-generated content becomes harder to distinguish from human-made work. The rollout puts Meta in an interesting position — simultaneously encouraging AI content creation through its own tools while adding transparency labels to manage the trust issues that come with it.

Instagram briefly published a Help Center article revealing a feature called “Swap,” which would let users replace the text overlaid on another creator’s Reel with their own.

The feature has since been quietly removed from the Help Center, suggesting it’s still in testing. The timing raises eyebrows: Instagram just announced algorithm penalties for accounts that repost content without meaningful creative input and it’s unclear whether Swap-edited Reels would fall inside or outside those rules.

Facebook now allows users to mention people in Stories cross-posted from Instagram.

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Instagram is expanding its crackdown on content aggregators, making accounts that primarily repost others’ photos and carousels ineligible for recommendations across the app — protections that previously only covered Reels.

The platform defines original content as anything wholly created by the poster or meaningfully edited to add a unique perspective, while low-effort tweaks like watermarks or speed changes don’t qualify. Accounts that follow these aggregators won’t lose access to their content, but that content will stop surfacing to new audiences in feeds and the Discover tab.

Read the new guidelines here  or read a recap carousel posted by Instagram here.

Instagram has added AI video generation directly into its Edits app, letting users create video clips from text prompts, photos, or existing footage.

It’s part of Meta’s broader push to get more people using its generative AI tools, though whether users actually want more AI-generated content in their feeds remains an open question.

Instagram has updated its Insights interface, adding new tabs that make key metrics like engagement and audience demographics easier to access directly from the main Insights page.

The update also introduces new data points including share rate, skip rate, and views over time.

Instagram has quietly launched Instants as a standalone app that lets users share disappearing, unedited photos with friends — opening straight to the camera, just like Snapchat. The app is essentially a rebranded version of Shots, a feature Meta tested inside Instagram last year, and appears to be part of a long-running effort by Meta to chip away at Snapchat’s user base following a failed $3 billion acquisition attempt back in 2013.

To mark its first anniversary, Meta hosted a webinar previewing what’s next for Edits, its standalone video editing app, including better captions, more effects customization, improved templates, and expanded AI tools. The catch: as AI features grow, Meta has hinted that a paid tier may eventually be on the way, though the app remains free for now.

Instagram is working on a feature that will allow users to cross-post Story highlights to Facebook.

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If you’ve been leaning on trial Reels to test content before it goes public, Instagram has just put a cap on how many you can post within a 30-day window. The good news: you can still post regular Reels in the meantime; the restriction only applies to the trial format.

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Instagram has recently revamped its comment features. Remember the news about being able to edit comments within a 15-minute window? Well, it goes futher: you can now add images to your comments.

Instagram is expanding its “Your Algorithm” tool to the Explore tab, letting all English-language users adjust the topics the algorithm thinks they’re interested in across both Explore and Reels in one unified system.

Meta is introducing a global update to Instagram that automatically places all users under 18 into a PG-13-style content filter they cannot disable without parental permission.

The system uses AI to restrict mature content across feeds, search, DMs, and even chatbot interactions, with an optional stricter “Limited Content” mode that removes comments entirely.

Instagram finally lets you edit comments, but only within a 15-minute window, and only for text.

It’s a small update, but one that removes a daily annoyance and shows the platform is paying attention to long-standing user habits.

Reposting your feed posts to Stories won’t boost reach — Adam Mosseri confirmed it’s mostly a useless hack, and that real growth comes from understanding what your audience actually responds to.

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri just reminded everyone is his video that yes, you can schedule trial reels.

And if you prefer doing it without jumping between tools… you can schedule them in Metricool too 😉

Instagram now lets you turn multiple photos into a seamless video using AI transitions in Stories.

You’ll need to accept Meta AI’s terms to use i, but once you do, it’s a quick way to create more dynamic content without extra editing.

Instagram is quietly testing a new premium subscription and if the screenshots from Mexico and the Philippines are anything to go by, it’s coming sooner than you think. Curious about what’s included? We’ve got the details in our article.

Instagram has finally dropped one of the most requested features for creators, brands, and social media marketers: the ability to reorder images and videos in a carousel after it’s been published.

Because no matter how many times you review a post before hitting publish (and we all check more than once), mistakes still do happen. And now, if the mistake is the order of your content, Instagram has you covered.

Read our article on this update here.

Instagream head Mosseri just debunked a common myth about scheduling Reels.

He confirms that it doesn’t negatively affect your Reels  in any way. In fact, there’s even a benefit to it: if you translate your Reels, scheduling gives Instagram more time to process those translations so that, when your content goes live, all language versions are ready to go.

Want a helping hand scheduling your Instagram content? Check out here how Metricool can help you.

Instagram has updated how Reels playback works. You can now pause an Instagram Reel with a single tap, instead of tapping and holding the screen.

It’s a small change, but it fixes a common frustration and makes it easier to watch, review, and create fast-moving content.

You’ll find more details on this update in our article.

Starting May 8th, Instagram will no longer support end-to-end encrypted direct messages, citing low usage as the reason for the cut.

Meta suggests anyone who wants E2EE messaging should switch to WhatsApp, and is already notifying affected users in-app — reminding them to download their encrypted chats and images before the feature disappears. If privacy in your DMs matters to you, now is the time to make the move.

Google is testing a redesigned knowledge panel that puts Instagram profiles front and center when you search for someone notable.

The update pushes the Instagram card higher up in the search results, so if someone googles you, your Instagram profile is one of the first things they’ll see.

It’s still in testing, but if it rolls out broadly, it’s a free visibility win for creators and public figures.

Want to boost your Instagram SEO? Check out our guide.

Instagram is testing clickable links directly in post captions for Meta Verified subscribers.

The test is currently limited, with users reportedly capped at 10 links per month, and the links only appear on mobile.

It’s worth noting that a 10-link monthly cap would likely still keep “link in bio” tools relevant — and with Meta Verified plans starting at $14.99 a month, the feature comes at a price.

Instagram is rolling out a set of previously professional-only tools to all public accounts, including content scheduling, the insights dashboard, and access to trending audio.

The move is designed to give creators a head start on growth before they switch to Professional Mode — though several advanced features will remain locked behind follower thresholds or Professional Mode.

For social media marketers working with smaller or newer accounts, this is a useful update that removes some early barriers to managing an Instagram presence effectively.

Instagram has rolled out the ability to edit post thumbnails directly in profile grids, giving you more control over how your content appears to visitors.

The update aligns with the platform’s recent switch to larger thumbnail images and is part of a broader push toward greater profile customization.

For brands and social media marketers, this update is worth paying attention to when thinking about first impressions on your profile.

Instagram is testing a new design that opens directly to Reels and introduces a customizable “Your Feeds” center.

The update would let users choose between feed options like Following, Friends, Latest, Saved, Favorites, and Suggested, all centered around Reels. With 50% of Instagram time already spent on Reels (and likely higher now), the platform is doubling down on short-form video as its main content focus.

Instagram head Adam Mosseri announced that Instagram is expanding beyond your phone and into your living room. After launching on Amazon Fire TV in December, the app is now available on Google TV devices in the US, letting users watch Reels on the big screen. Content is organized into topic-based “channels” for easy browsing.

Instagram is testing a new “Short Drama” feature to tap into the growing mini-drama trend popularized on TikTok. These stories are split into short episodes and often end on cliffhangers to keep viewers coming back.

The format has gained massive traction, generating an estimated $1.3 billion in the U.S. in 2025, prompting TikTok to launch dedicated sections and even a separate mini-drama app.

Now, Instagram appears to be exploring a similar approach, allowing users to follow short drama series more easily.

Instagram is developing a feature that would allow users to remove themselves from someone else’s Close Friends list.

Currently, if someone adds you to their Close Friends, you can’t opt out. The new option — still in internal testing — would let you leave the list, though you would no longer see that person’s Close Friends content unless they add you back.

The feature was first spotted by app researcher Alessandro Paluzzi. There’s no confirmation yet on when or if it will roll out publicly.

The move would give users more control over who they share private content with — similar to Snapchat’s option to leave private Stories.

Meta is revamping its Creator Marketplace to help brands find creators who are more likely to deliver real results — not just big follower counts.

New features include:

• Intent-based recommendations: Brands will see creators who have tagged them before or shown interest in collaborating.

• “Similar Creators” search: Find creators similar to those you’ve worked with or who performed well in past campaigns.

• Ad performance badges: Highlight creators predicted to drive stronger results.

The Marketplace is also expanding globally, now available to businesses worldwide.

The shift is clear: Meta is prioritizing performance and conversion potential over raw reach. For creators, this means engagement history and campaign results matter more than audience size alone.

Check out our guide on how to use the Instagram Creator Marketplace to land brand deals.

Instagram is currently testing a new feature: instead of displaying your follower count, you may soon only see your “friends” — meaning accounts that follow you back.

The reason? Most interactions on Instagram now happen in DMs. However, the new feature could make it harder to discover new and interesting accounts.

The big question: will the focus shift from reach to real community? We’ll see.

Edits, Instagram’s own video editing tool, keeps rolling out new features.

Here’s what’s new:

• Add interactive links directly into your videos

• Get new weekly content ideas (currently available in English only)

• Choose from 25 new video effects and experiment with multiple takes in storyboards

Check out this update for more details, grab your camera, and get started!

Instagram is now rolling out the “Your Algorithm” feature to all English-speaking users. This allows you to manually set your interests for Reels and even prioritize three top topics for 2026.

For you as a creator, this means: get even more specific within your niche so you land directly in your target audience’s curated feeds.

Take this opportunity to remind your community to actively manage and refine their interests.

Adam Mosseri has spoken about the future of AI on Instagram, suggesting that “authenticity” may soon be almost indistinguishable from AI-generated content.

While Meta will continue to heavily invest in AI tools, it’s becoming increasingly important for creators to focus on genuine human connections and original ideas instead of simply blending in with the crowd.

For his full analysis, check out his post (link above).

Instagram currently favors accounts with a clear thematic focus. Profiles that consistently post about similar topics are easier for the algorithm to categorize — and are recommended more frequently.

On the other hand, accounts that frequently switch between unrelated topics may experience a drop in visibility. Instagram especially looks at recent posts to determine what an account stands for.

The update makes one thing clear: positioning is a key factor for reach.

Instagram is introducing a new fixed hashtag limit: from now on, you can use a maximum of five hashtags per post or Reel.

The reason? Hashtags are no longer as important for reach as they used to be. Today, the AI-driven algorithm primarily determines which content gets distributed.

Instagram itself states that using fewer, more targeted hashtags not only improves performance but also enhances the overall user experience.

Since May, Instagram has offered the option to add a code to Reels, allowing only people who know the code to view the video.

Now, the platform is expanding this feature. Still in the testing phase and available only to selected creators, they can now post so-called “early access” Reels.

What does that mean? Creators can first unlock their Reels exclusively for their own followers, while the content remains temporarily locked for everyone else.

How can you recognize an “early access” Reel? According to social media expert Lindsay Gamble, who spotted the test, an icon with a clock and a star indicates that the clip is visible to followers only. If someone randomly comes across such a Reel, they’ll be prompted to follow the creator in order to watch it.

And the goal behind it? Instagram is testing new ways to help creators grow.

In Australia, Meta has already begun deleting Instagram and Facebook accounts belonging to users under 16, even before the new law officially takes effect.

Around 500,000 profiles are affected, and new accounts for minors are being blocked. Users can secure their data until access becomes available again at age 16.

Starting December 10, platforms could face significant fines if they fail to enforce age verification requirements.

You may have noticed a small timer or clock icon on some Story bubbles in recent weeks and wondered what it means.

The icon indicates that a Story is about to expire and is close to reaching the 24-hour limit. When you see it, it’s a sign to watch it quickly before it disappears.

Since the symbol doesn’t appear on all Stories, Instagram appears to still be testing the feature.

Instagram has reduced the number of hashtags per regular post or Reel to a maximum of three.

With this change, the platform aims to send clearer signals and reduce hashtag spam in the feed. For creators, this means choosing even more carefully which hashtags are truly relevant to your content.

Less is officially more.

Instagram is rolling out an update to the Reels camera that makes filming and editing directly in the app much easier.

You can now record clips up to 20 minutes long (although Instagram still favors shorter Reels and may give longer content less reach). The update also brings improved editing tools: a new Undo feature, a Touch-Up slider, an enhanced green screen experience, and better timer and countdown options.

Lots of small updates that make creating Reels on the go easier — and for more advanced edits, the Edits app is still ready to go.

Collabs have been around on Instagram for a while; and they’re still a powerful tool for boosting reach together. Now, Instagram head Adam Mosseri is reminding creators and brands to make the most of this feature.

His new pro tip: you can now start a Collab even after a post has already been published.

In one of his recent AMA sessions (“Ask Me Anything”), Instagram head Adam Mosseri responded positively to a question about whether Test Reels could be scheduled in advance in the future. He liked the idea and hinted that this feature might be introduced soon.

Wondering what Trial Reels are? You can find everything you need to know about this feature in our article.

Adam Mosseri shared five simple but practical tips in his latest Reel on how to increase your reach and engagement on Instagram.

One key takeaway: grab attention in the first few seconds with a strong hook. He also recommends turning on captions, since many users watch videos without sound.

The new AI translation feature for Reels (currently available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Hindi) can also help your content reach international audiences faster.

And finally: experiment with music and try small posting tests (Trial Reels) to find out what resonates best with your community.

Instagram is launching a new tool called “Competitive Insights” in the Professional Dashboard. Creators and businesses can use it to compare up to 10 accounts, including metrics like follower growth and posting frequency across Reels, posts, or ads.

While the feature provides only basic data rather than in-depth analytics, it offers a helpful first overview to evaluate your own performance in the context of the competition.

Ever watched a great Reel and then never found it again? Instagram’s new feature puts an end to that.

Under Settings → Your Activity → Watch History, you can now see all the Reels you’ve ever viewed.

In the overview, you can:

• Browse all watched Reels

• Sort them by most recent

• Filter by specific time periods

• Search directly for creators

👉 Check out the official announcement from Instagram head Adam Mosseri here.

Instagram is introducing a new feature for direct messages: users can now draw directly on the DM screen and freely place stickers. The tools appear in the “+” menu next to the message field, allowing for creative customization within chats.

While drawings are only visible temporarily, the feature offers new ways to highlight messages or simply have fun. The option is now being rolled out gradually to all users.

Instagram has launched a new AI feature called Meta AI Restyle, enabling users to edit Stories directly within the app.

Users can now edit photos and videos using text prompts, add effects, or remove details. Previously, these features were only available through the Meta AI chatbot.

The tool also offers preset effects, filters, and even video backgrounds — and it can be combined with the “Add Yours” sticker to spark viral trends.

Read the whole story in our article.

Instagram is introducing custom app icons, but exclusively for teenagers. Teens can choose from six designs — including Neon, Glass, Fire, and Flowers — to change the Instagram logo on their home screen.

The icons are designed to make teen accounts more appealing and align with additional safety features, such as PG-13-level content restrictions.

Instagram is testing a new menu layout that puts greater emphasis on Reels and DMs.

Users can swipe between tabs for Feed, Reels, DMs, Create Post, and Profile. The test is optional but reflects Meta’s broader strategy of prioritizing direct messages and short-form video content.

Instagram is strengthening safety measures for teen accounts. Young users will see fewer inappropriate or age-inappropriate posts — similar to a PG-13 movie rating.

Accounts that focus on risky topics will be blocked, and certain search terms such as “alcohol” or “gore” will be restricted. With the new “Limited Content” option, parents can also hide comments and sensitive content entirely.

Starting in early 2026, parents will additionally be able to decide whether their children are allowed to chat with AI chatbots. The new safety features will initially roll out in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

According to Instagram head Adam Mosseri, the platform is testing the idea of launching its own TV app, allowing users to watch Reels comfortably on the big screen.

More and more people are streaming content directly on their TVs, and Instagram wants to be part of that space. Instead of focusing on sports rights or exclusive shows like YouTube, the platform is doubling down on vertical videos — currently the most important format in its competition with TikTok.

Instagram has launched a new collage feature for Stories.

In the Story bar, you’ll now find the option “Animated Collages.” You can select between 5 and 20 photos, which are automatically combined into an animated Story clip.

You can choose between two styles: cutout collage or sequential collage. You can then edit the final result to suit your preferences.

Instagram has introduced a new version of the “Add Yours” sticker, inspired by the release of Taylor Swift’s latest album.

You can now insert your own video clips directly into your Story and match them precisely to the sequence of the original clip, including the same audio track.

This allows fans, for example, to recreate Swift’s dance moves or share their own variations. The feature makes it easier to join in and offers brands new opportunities for interactive, shareable content.

Instagram is celebrating 15 years since its founding in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger.

What started as the photo app Burbn has grown into a global social media giant with over three billion users.

Instagram is launching “Instagram Rings,” a new award for standout creators. Winners receive a physical ring along with special profile features, such as a golden ring around their profile picture.

A jury of celebrities selects the winners — with the first 25 set to be announced soon. And yes, the promo design has a slight The Ring vibe; but instead of horror, there’s plenty of glitter.

The program is planned as an annual initiative, and the profile features will remain active until the next round.

Instagram is improving its Map feature to make it easier for users to see whether they are sharing their location.

New indicators at the top of the Map and below profile photos now clearly show whether location sharing is active or not.

Instagram is also removing profile pictures from tagged locations to avoid confusion and introducing a preview feature so users can see how their posts will appear on the Map.

Instagram is rolling out a new “Shareable Insights” feature in the Edits app.

Creators can now export their performance data — including Reel views, likes, comments, shares, and saves — as a PDF and easily share media kits with brand partners.

On top of that, new creative updates are being added, such as sound effects, text templates, subtitle animations, and color correction tools. This turns Edits from a simple video editing app into a full creative toolkit.

With the new “Your Algorithm” section, you’ll soon be able to control your Reels recommendations yourself — simply hide topics you’re not interested in at all.

👉 You can watch Mosseri’s full video about the update here.

You might also find this helpful: in this article, you’ll find practical tips on how to reset your Instagram recommendations (in case they’re starting to feel a bit annoying 😉).

After reaching 3 billion monthly active users, Instagram is putting greater emphasis on Reels and DMs instead of traditional photo posts — adapting to changing user behavior and competition from TikTok.

Initial tests are already underway in India and South Korea, where the app may open directly to Reels. In addition, Instagram is planning AI-powered features that would allow users to choose which topics appear in their feed or filter out those they’re not interested in.

Meta has announced an update for Instagram Reels: Trending Ads are now available to all advertisers. This allows brands to place their ads directly alongside the hottest, culturally relevant Reels.

Early tests show promising results: brand awareness can increase by up to 20%.

Soon, Instagram posts will appear directly in the Google Discover feed, alongside YouTube Shorts and X posts.

For creators, this means your content can reach an entirely new audience, even outside the app.

With followable profiles directly in the feed, more people can discover your content, like it, and hit follow. In short: more visibility, more followers — and a clear signal that Instagram wants to push your content even further.

Instagram is rolling out its “Shots” feature to more regions. Here it comes: the twin of Snapchat and BeReal — quick, unfiltered photos that can only be viewed once.

The goal? More spontaneous interaction in the feed. For creators and social media marketers, it’s interesting because Instagram is testing new ways to encourage direct connections.

Whether it will truly take off remains to be seen.

You can now pin comments under your Instagram posts.

A practical tool for creators and brands to highlight important voices and key messages.

Instagram is currently experimenting with a Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode for Reels. This would allow you to keep a Reel playing in a small window, even after leaving the app — perfect if you want to check messages or use other apps at the same time.

The feature makes multitasking easier and brings Instagram in line with TikTok and YouTube, which have offered PiP for some time.

Instagram is now officially available for iPad. The app includes Feed, Stories, and DMs — with a strong focus on Reels, which are even more enjoyable on the larger screen.

New features like the “Following” tab help users filter content from different sources: All, Friends, or the latest posts in chronological order. A multi-column layout also makes it easier to navigate DMs and notifications.

Instagram wants to prevent users from being flooded with the same alerts over and over again. A new ranking system will automatically downgrade repeated notifications.

The result: fewer push notifications, but more relevant content and potentially higher engagement rates.

For creators, however, this could also mean their updates appear even less frequently in their followers’ notifications.

Instagram is expanding its DM management with new filters and folder features. Users can now sort their messages by Story replies, unread, unanswered, followers, or verified accounts.

You can also create custom DM folders and personalize the filter bar. These updates are especially useful for creators and accounts that receive a high volume of messages — a clear move as more and more interactions shift directly into DMs.

Instagram has launched a new video tutorial series for its video editing app, Edits. Across 20 episodes, creator Adrian Per shows how to make your videos more professional and creative — covering everything from camera setup to keyframe editing.

The first five episodes are already available, focusing on topics like teleprompter use, camera positioning, and editing techniques. With Edits, Instagram aims to give content creators even more tools to make their videos stand out.

The Instagram for Business team has shared new recommendations on how to increase your reach. These include guidance on how often to post Reels, why carousels drive more engagement, and how to actively involve your community in your content strategy.

Instagram head Adam Mosseri has clarified: long captions do not affect your reach. You can use them to tell stories or add more context, but they won’t give you an algorithmic boost.

This is especially interesting because many meme accounts are currently posting extremely long — and often unrelated — captions. The reason? They’re trying to bypass Instagram’s new measures against “unoriginal content,” which aim to remove aggregator accounts from recommendations.

Instagram is expanding Reels Insights with two powerful new metrics: Retention Rate and Skip Rate.

With Retention Rate, you can see how long your Reels are actually being watched. Skip Rate shows how many users scroll away within the first 3 seconds.

These insights help you create stronger hooks, keep viewers watching longer, and clearly identify which content truly resonates.

Find more details in our article

Meta has rolled out a free AI tool worldwide for Instagram and Facebook that automatically translates voices into another language — and even adjusts lip movements so videos look natural.

For now, the feature works in English and Spanish, with more languages expected to follow. The goal is to help creators reach new international audiences.

Translations can be reviewed in advance, disabled at any time, and are available for all public Instagram accounts as well as Facebook Pages with at least 1,000 followers.

However, there are exceptions: the feature is currently not available in the EU, the UK, Brazil, and some other regions.

Learn more in our article

In a recent Q&A, Adam Mosseri hinted that Instagram may start including screenshots as an engagement metric in Insights.

That would mean it’s not just likes, comments, and views that count, but also moments when users save content by taking a screenshot to share it outside the app. A look at Twitter shows that screenshots have long helped content spread far beyond the platform itself.

As direct interactions decrease and more conversations move to DMs, screenshots could become a new signal of reach and genuine interest.

Whether Instagram will actually roll this out remains to be seen — but creators should definitely keep it on their radar.

Instagram is working on a new feature called “Picks,” designed to help users discover shared interests with their friends.

The feature appears in the Notes section of DMs, where users can list topics like movies, music, or books — even including specific titles. Instagram then shows which friends have similar picks, encouraging conversations and stronger connections.

With this move, Instagram continues its shift toward fostering more personal interactions rather than focusing only on likes and reposts.

For now, Picks is only an internal prototype — whether and when it will officially launch remains unclear.

Instagram has introduced new metrics in Instagram Insights, making it even easier to truly understand your audience and grow it strategically.

What’s new:

Reel and Carousel Like Insights:
See exactly when and where your content gets liked.

Post-Specific Demographics:
Find out who is engaging with each individual post.

Top Follower Drivers:
Discover which posts and Reels are bringing in the most new followers.

“Viewers” Metric:
Instead of just “Accounts Reached,” you can now see how many people actually viewed your content.

In short: these insights help you create content that speaks directly to the people you want to reach.

Check out the official Instagram post about this update

Instagram is launching three new features to help you “stay better connected with your friends”:

Reposts:
Easily reshare your favorite public Reels and posts. Your reposts get their own tab on your profile and also appear in your followers’ feeds.

Instagram Map:
Share your location (if you choose to) with selected friends and discover what they’re posting nearby.

“Friends” Tab in Reels:
See which Reels your friends have liked, commented on, or reposted. It turns passive scrolling into real interaction.

Check out the official Instagram update

Instagram has quietly changed the rules: livestreams are now only available to users with at least 1,000 followers. Meta appears to be aiming to reduce costs, prevent misuse, and improve content quality, but smaller creators are left out.

For them, this means one thing: grow their community and adjust their strategy to stay visible.

Read the full article

Instagram is testing a new feature that automatically plays Reels back-to-back. Users will see more videos, potentially boosting view counts for creators. Don’t like it? You can disable the feature anytime.

Read the full article here. 

Meta is testing a new ad format in Europe: Users who opt out of personalized ads without paying for a subscription will now encounter unskippable ad breaks in their feed. The ads pause scrolling for several seconds, which is Meta’s attempt to preserve ad efficiency under strict privacy regulations. For users, the choice is simple: wait or pay.

Learn more about this topic.

Great news for anyone working at the intersection of SEO and social media: As of July 10th, Google displays your publicly accessible Instagram posts in search results.

Reels, carousels, videos – everything you publish from a professional account can now be discovered beyond Instagram.

Read the full article about this update.

Arrange your posts in whatever way best fits your style.

Previously, posts were displayed in strict chronological order. If you wanted to highlight a post, your only option was to pin it to the top of your profile.

That’s all changing now – rearrange your grid however you want!

Read the full article about this update.

Edits, Instagram’s own video editing app, launched in April and has been regularly updated with new features ever since.

It’s a great (and free!) alternative that gives CapCut a run for its money.

Download Edits for Android or iPhone and learn more about it here.

Instagram Blend lets you create a shared feed directly in your DMs to share Reels with a friend (in 1:1 chats) or multiple friends (in group chats).

The ultimate goal? Bring people closer together in the app. However, the feature has received mixed reactions regarding its usability.

Instagram is testing a dislike button that users have spotted. Instagram CEO Mosseri has responded, providing some clarity on what the feature is all about. Similar to YouTube and Reddit, you might soon be able to downvote comments.

The feature is currently being tested, rolled out only to a small group of users. As users began noticing the downvote button appearing in comment sections, Instagram CEO Mosseri clarified on Threads that it is just a test.

Instagram, under its parent company Meta, has been actively working to create a safer online environment for teenagers. This includes restricting certain content, DMs from adults, and allowing parents/guardians to use the parental supervision feature.
The latest Instagram safety updates in 2024 have introduced more enhanced measures to protect younger users on the platform:

– Default Private DM Settings for Teens: Instagram has updated its settings so that all teenage users’ direct message (DM) settings are private by default. This prevents them from receiving messages from individuals they haven’t followed, adding a layer of protection against unwanted contact.

– Parental Supervision Tools: Parents and guardians now have the ability to supervise their teen’s Instagram account more closely. They must approve any changes their teens wish to make to their safety and privacy settings, ensuring that parents are involved in their online activities

The Instagram Creator Marketplace has seen significant growth since its initial launch. In 2024, the platform has expanded to include a more global audience. The Marketplace is now available to brands and creators in several new countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Japan, India, and Brazil. Additionally, Chinese export brands have the opportunity to collaborate with international creators.
Accessible through the Meta Business Suite, the Creator Marketplace allows creators to showcase their work and interests. Brands can discover and connect with creators using machine learning-powered recommendations, enhancing the matchmaking process between brands and relevant influencers.

Instagram’s messaging system has received a facelift, providing users with more control and personalization options for their DMs:

Message Editing: Users can now edit their messages up to 15 minutes after sending, allowing for corrections of typos or other errors.

Chat Pinning: Important conversations can be pinned to the top of the inbox, ensuring that users can quickly access their most significant chats.

Read Receipts Control: The platform now offers the option to toggle read receipts on or off, giving users control over whether others can see if they’ve read a message.

Chat Themes: A variety of themes are available to personalize chat experiences, allowing users to set the mood for their conversations with different visual styles.

The following section delves into a selection of Instagram features and updates that are currently in the works or anticipated to be unveiled in 2024. These have come to light through the investigative work of software developer Alessandro Paluzzi, known for his expertise in reverse engineering Instagram’s code.

Paluzzi’s findings shared via his Twitter handle @alex193a, offer a sneak peek at what Instagram may have in store for users shortly, although they have not yet been made available to the general public.

Instagram Flipside

Instagram is testing a new feature called Instagram Flipside, which is currently available to a select group of users. This feature is designed to enhance privacy and personalization, allowing users to create a distinct list of friends, separate from their “close friends” and general followers, to share content with a more private circle.
Users can create a private space on their profiles exclusively for this select group, effectively integrating the concept of a Finsta—traditionally a separate, private Instagram account—directly within their main account.

“Friend Map” feature

Taking cues from Snapchat’s Snap Map, Instagram is working on a ‘Friend Map’ feature, allowing users to share their real-time location with followers and friends. This feature will be voluntary and will let users see where their friends are, provided those friends have chosen to share their location as well. Location data shared through Friend Map will be end-to-end encrypted, and users will have the ability to control who can see their location.

Public Collections

Instagram is experimenting with an expansion of its Collections feature, known as Public Collections. This builds on the private Collections feature introduced in 2017, which lets Instagram users bookmark and organize content in private folders. Similar to Pinterest, Public Collections will allow users to save, organize, and now share collections of content with their followers.

Paid features have arrived to Instagram. Through this program, with a price between $10-20, your comments will have priority, and you will receive a verification badge on your account or company page.

Did you get hooked on BeReal? With this, the app would notify you when it’s time to upload a post, and gives you 2 minutes to do so. Well, now candid stories have arrived to Instagram, to share stories of what you are doing in that moment.

Instagram now allows the creation of notes, similar to a status on WhatsApp, in which you can share ideas or thoughts with a certain group of users via direct messaging.

Instagram has incorporated a feature that already exists in Facebook: groups. With this feature, you can share content with certain users and generate debate around a topic.

Instagram has also added the “Broadcast Channels” feature, a private space where you can connect with followers through direct messaging, images, or polls, in which only creators can write and send content.

Instagram Live Producer allows creators and brands to use streaming software and a stream key to go on Instagram Live with external cameras, microphones, and graphics.

Instagram has rolled out new functionalities to combat spam and bot interference more effectively.
– Separate inbox for DMs from suspected spam/bot accounts
– Consolidated spam tag requests that are automatically purged after 30 days.
– Hiding suspected spam story views for more accurate engagement metrics.

Instagram Gifts allows fans to support their favorite creators by sending themed gifts, which translate into direct financial contributions.

Instagram offers the possibility to pin up to three posts you have published to the top of your own feed. This can be any post from the feed posts including photos and videos, Reels are not included in this.

Until now, Reels had a maximum length of 60 seconds. Instagram is extending the possibility of recording Reels up to 90 seconds to further expand the possibilities for content creators.

In order to facilitate user’s search experience, Instagram created the Favorite and Following tab, where you can see the posts of those accounts added to your favorites or only those you follow.

Text usually accompanies Instagram stories, so the network has added a new font to its gallery: “Instagram Sans”, to add a new touch to the content in your stories.

Instagram expands the number of people who can be included in a live stream. Now you can have more than two users, and even up to four. Instagram Live continues to incorporate new features to get closer to other streaming platforms.

Instagram also expands the number of fonts available in its editor for adding text to stories. Users that want to add text have multiple fonts to choose from.

Instagram’s website version continues to add features to narrow the gap with its mobile version, and incorporates the possibility to reply to private messages through the browser platform.

Instagram adds the option to pin comments. Creators can set an important comment to appear first, so that users can quickly find a productive reply, or see prominent users that are commenting on this content.

TikTok’s success was not definitely not ignored by Instagram, which launched Reels to compete against TikTok. These are short-form videos, in vertical form with a maximum duration of 60 seconds.

Every live video you make in the Instagram app will automatically be saved in the IGTV tab. This way, users can watch them again whenever they want.

In order to support small businesses in the face of COVID-19, Instagram launches donation stickers. Users can help businesses by donating or placing an order from the sticker.

Instagram incorporates the “close friends” feature. With this, users select their “close friends” from their followers, and only they can see the stories shared for that group.

Animated images have arrived to Instagram. Users have the option to add GIFs to their content in stories, but also to create them so that others can use them in their posts.

Faced with the growth of YouTube and other long-form video platforms, Instagram launches IGTV, a “TV channel” in which to post longer videos, of up to 60 minutes.

After including Instagram stories, the social network continues to expand its features and adds poll stickers. Interact with your users by asking them questions and letting them weigh in on the conversation.

Instagram continues to foster the interactions between users, and they included the option to share stories with other users, as long as the account creating the content allows it.

The social network incorporates saved folders. This is an element you can find the feed that allows you to store all the content you like and visit it at any time.

Filters are a great resource on Instagram to personalize photos, videos, stories, or whatever post. The social network launches the option to create filters so that any user can use them in their posts.

LIVES are also another great resource for creating content. With this in mind, Instagram allows users to save their LIVES to their phones, and upload them to the feed later.

Links in Stories land on Instagram. Users have the option to add a link to their stories and thus attract traffic to other landing pages such as websites, stores, or a blog.

In order to know how your content is performing, Instagram launches statistics to measure and analyze what you share on the social network.

Instagram adds Story Highlights, where users share the most important stories in their profile bio, which you can also add customizable cover for each different highlight section.

At the height of the broadcasting boom, the social network launches Instagram Live. Users have the option to share live content and interact through chat with viewers.

After years without notable developments in Instagram hashtags, the social network incorporates the option to follow a specific tag. Thus, be aware of the posts related to this.

At the beginning timelines were chronological, and posts in your feed would appear in the order they were posted. Instagram decides to change this completely and based it on their algorithm.

A new way of interacting between Instagram users has arrived, with the aim of promoting communication. Users can “Like” comments left on posts.

No more screenshotting people’s images to zoom in. The social network improves the usability of the app and allows users to enlarge the image by pinching the screen.

Instagram includes the “Boomerang” feature, a video that breaks the mold and plays a loop of the content, uncovering the creativity of users and content creators.

Instagram continues to grow and there seems to be no ceiling. In 2016, it incorporated the possibility of managing more than one social network account from the same device. The gateway to social media was opened.

Instagram launches Stories, content with multiple options that lasts 24 hours and allows users to interact with each other. A sign of the growth of the network, where photos and videos are no longer enough.

Instagram expands its monetization options, one of them being Instagram Shopping, which allows users to sell their products directly through the app.

Instagram’s famous square format photos are left behind in 2015. The social network adds the option to publish panoramic photos without the content being cropped in square format.

Instagram incorporates a feature that unlocks a lot of options for content creators, hyperlapse. With this, users can create an accelerated video by joining several photographs.

Instagram enables direct messaging, the feature that promotes communication between users by sending photos, videos, or other posts to users via private messaging.

Hashtags were already being used on Twitter and were a great success. It was in 2011 when Instagram decided to add them to its social network. Since then they have been unstoppable for positioning content.

The first version of the Instagram application for the Android operating system appears. The social network was already available on both platforms and began its unstoppable path to success.

The Instagram application is launched on October 6th, 2010 for the iOS operating system. The adventure of the photo social network in the App Store begins. The rest is history.