Top Instagram Updates in 2024 Every Creator Should Know

As Instagram continues to evolve, staying up-to-date with the latest features is crucial for creators looking to maximize their impact on the platform. In 2024, Instagram has rolled out several exciting updates that offer new opportunities for engagement, creativity, and growth. Here are some of the most significant changes that every creator needs to know about:

1. Comments on Instagram Stories

Instagram has introduced a game-changing feature: the ability to comment on Stories. This update allows for more public interaction with your Story content, potentially increasing engagement and fostering community discussions.

Key points:

• Comments are visible to all Story viewers
• Only mutual followers can comment
• Comments last for 24 hours, like the Stories themselves
• You can add Story comments to Highlights for extended visibility

2. Expanded Carousels: Up to 20 Slides

Instagram has doubled the maximum number of slides in carousel posts from 10 to 20. This expansion provides creators with more space to tell comprehensive stories, showcase products, or share detailed tutorials.

Benefits:

• Enhanced storytelling capabilities
• More room for product demonstrations
• Opportunity for in-depth educational content

3. Notes on Posts and Reels

Creators can now add notes to their posts and Reels, visible to mutual followers or Close Friends. This feature allows for additional context, behind-the-scenes information, or personal messages to accompany your content.

How it works:

• Add a note up to 60 characters long
• Choose to share with mutual followers or Close Friends
• Notes are visible for up to 3 days

4. AI-Generated Stickers for Stories and DMs

Instagram has introduced AI-powered sticker creation for Stories and Direct Messages. This feature allows creators to generate custom stickers based on text prompts, adding a new layer of personalization and creativity to their content.

How to use:

• Find the ‘AI stickers’ option in your sticker tray
• Type in a prompt describing the sticker you want
• AI generates a custom sticker based on your description

5. Multiple Links in Bio

One of the most anticipated updates, Instagram now allows users to add multiple links to their bio. This feature eliminates the need for third-party “link in bio” services and provides creators with more flexibility in directing their audience to various platforms or content.

How to set up:

• Go to “Edit profile”
• Tap on “Links”
• Add external links as needed
• Arrange links in your preferred order

6. In-App Post Scheduling

Creators can now schedule their posts directly within the Instagram app, streamlining the content planning process. While this feature doesn’t allow for cross-posting to other accounts or platforms, it’s a significant step towards more efficient content management.

Steps to schedule:

• Create your post as usual
• Go to Advanced Settings
• Click on Schedule and set your desired publication time

7. Customizable Link Stickers

Instagram has made its link stickers available to all users, regardless of follower count. Moreover, creators can now customize the appearance of these stickers, turning them into clickable call-to-action buttons.

Benefits:

• Increased traffic to external sites
• Better integration with your Story’s aesthetic
• Improved call-to-action opportunities

These updates demonstrate Instagram’s commitment to providing creators with more tools for engagement, creativity, and audience growth. By leveraging these new features, creators can enhance their content strategy, improve interaction with their audience, and potentially increase their reach on the platform.

As Instagram continues to evolve, staying informed about new features and experimenting with them can give creators a competitive edge. Remember to integrate these updates thoughtfully into your content strategy to make the most of what Instagram has to offer in 2024.