Instagram Highlights: The Complete Guide for Beginners and Brands
What Are Instagram Highlights?
Instagram Highlights are collections of your best Instagram Stories that you choose to keep on your profile. They appear as small circles right under your bio. Unlike regular Stories, which disappear after 24 hours, Highlights stay on your profile as long as you want. This means you can showcase important moments, products, or tips for your followers to see anytime.
Why Use Instagram Highlights?
Instagram Highlights help you:
- Show your best content to new visitors.
- Make your profile look organized and attractive.
- Share useful info, like product details, FAQs, or customer reviews.
- Keep important Stories easy to find.
Think of Highlights as your “storefront window.” What do you want people to see first when they visit your profile?
How to Create Instagram Highlights
Making a Highlight is easy:
- Go to your Instagram profile.
- Tap the “+” button under your bio or next to “Story Highlights.”
- Pick the Stories you want to add from your archive.
- Give your Highlight a short, clear name (up to 15 characters).
- Choose a cover image that matches your brand or style.
- Tap “Add” or “Done.” Your Highlight now appears on your profile.
You can edit Highlights anytime. Just tap and hold the Highlight, then choose “Edit Highlight.”
Best Practices for Instagram Highlights
1. Organize by Topic
Group Stories into Highlights based on themes, like:
- Products
- Behind the Scenes
- Customer Reviews
- Tips & Tutorials
- Events
- FAQs
2. Use Eye-Catching Covers
Pick simple, bold icons or images for your Highlight covers. Use your brand colors for a consistent look. Avoid busy backgrounds so your covers are easy to see.
3. Keep Names Short
Highlight names should be clear and fit the 15-character limit. Use emojis to save space and add personality, like “🌟 Best Sellers” or “🎉 Events”.
4. Update Regularly
Refresh your Highlights with new Stories. Remove old or outdated content so your profile always looks fresh and relevant.
5. Place Important Highlights First
Instagram shows Highlights from left to right. Put your most important or popular Highlights first, so visitors see them right away.
Instagram Highlight Ideas
Need inspiration? Try these Highlight ideas:
- Product Demos: Show how your product works.
- Customer Testimonials: Share happy customer stories.
- Sales & Offers: Announce special deals.
- Tutorials: Teach followers how to use your products.
- Team Introductions: Show the people behind your brand.
- Events: Share moments from live or virtual events.
- Tips & Tricks: Offer helpful advice related to your niche.
How Businesses Use Instagram Highlights
Many brands use Highlights to boost sales and trust. For example:
- Sephora uses simple icons to show product types.
- Shake Shack uses green graphics for a cohesive look.
- Nike Women features athletes as brand ambassadors in their Highlights.
- Airbnb uses quizzes and polls in Stories, then saves them as Highlights to keep engagement high.
SEO Tips for Instagram Highlights
Want more people to find your Highlights? Try these tips:
- Use keywords in your Highlight titles and captions (like “Instagram Highlights” or “Customer Reviews”).
- Add relevant hashtags to your Highlight descriptions.
- Organize Highlights by category for easy navigation.
- Update your Highlights often to keep them relevant.
Quick Tips for Better Engagement
- Use interactive stickers (polls, quizzes) in your Stories before adding them to Highlights.
- Share behind-the-scenes content to build trust.
- Highlight your best-selling products or services.
- Share user-generated content to show real customer experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many Highlights can I have?
A: There’s no official limit, but too many can make your profile look cluttered. Keep only your best and most useful Highlights.
Q: Can I change my Highlight covers?
A: Yes! Tap and hold the Highlight, select “Edit Highlight,” and choose a new cover image.
Q: Do Highlights show who viewed them?
A: No, you can’t see who views your Highlights after 24 hours.
Ready to Make Your Instagram Stand Out?
Instagram Highlights are a powerful tool to showcase your brand, connect with followers, and drive more sales or engagement. Want expert help creating Highlights that convert? Contact us for more tips and services!