5 Instagram Updates You Need to Know

Instagram continues to evolve, making it easier for brands and creators to connect with their audiences. With the latest updates, Instagram is expanding opportunities for storytelling, interaction, and creative expression. Here’s a breakdown of the most exciting new features:

1. Instagram Expands Carousels to 20 Slides

Instagram has officially increased the number of slides in carousels to 20. Previously capped at 10, this change gives creators and brands more flexibility to showcase diverse content within a single post. Whether it's images, videos, or a mix of both, this update enhances storytelling potential.

For businesses, this is a game-changer! Imagine running a detailed product showcase or highlighting the key moments of an event all within one post. More frames mean more opportunities to engage your audience, present products, and tell compelling stories without splitting content across multiple posts.

2. Add Notes to Your Posts or Reels

Instagram now allows users to add a note with each post or reel, visible to either mutual followers or Close Friends. This quick message is an excellent way to provide extra context or a call-to-action that grabs attention. It’s perfect for building a more personal connection with your followers and enhancing your post engagement.

Use this feature to share behind-the-scenes thoughts, special messages, or exclusive offers only visible to those closest to your brand.

3. Comment on Stories

One of the more interactive updates is the ability to comment on stories, with some limitations. Only followers who follow each other back can comment on stories, which helps prevent spam and trolling. These comments will disappear after 24 hours unless the story is saved as a highlight, in which case the comments will remain.

This new addition encourages more meaningful interactions within the Instagram community. You can now open up direct feedback and dialogue around the content you share in your stories, allowing for deeper engagement with your followers.

4. Instagram Feed Layout Update

Instagram is gradually rolling out a new feed layout with a display size of 1080x1350 px. This update means posts will take up slightly more vertical space on the screen, making your content more prominent as users scroll. It's a subtle change, but one that can make a significant impact on how your posts are viewed and engaged with.

Since this update is rolling out, it's recommended to start posting content in the new dimensions so that your feed is prepared for the update and your content isn’t squeezed once the feed changes take effect.

5. Analytics Dashboard Update

Instagram has also made significant changes to its analytics dashboard. What was previously referred to as “Accounts Reached” is now labeled as “Views,” and “Accounts Engaged” is now called “Interactions.”

This shift in terminology brings clarity and precision to the way you understand your audience's engagement.

• Views now refers to the total number of times your content was seen, helping you measure the visibility of your posts, stories, or reels.
• Interactions reflects all the ways users engage with your content, such as likes, comments, shares, or saves. This helps you assess how impactful and engaging your content truly is.

By aligning these terms with common social media metrics, Instagram makes it easier for businesses and creators to track their performance, optimize content strategies, and set more targeted goals.

What These Updates Mean for You

Instagram’s updates reflect its commitment to enhancing user experience and providing tools that help creators and businesses better engage with their audience. As these features roll out, they will open new opportunities for storytelling, content variety, and meaningful engagement.

Whether you’re a brand, creator, or individual user, these updates offer powerful new ways to connect with your audience.

P.S. Not seeing the engagement and results you want on Instagram? It’s time to reassess your strategy. Check out our success stories and let’s turn your social media into a powerhouse!

Cheers,

Amna Danish

Founder & CEO, Crown Digital

10+ Years of experience in managing and scaling startups, eCommerce, and D2C brands through innovative strategies, content, and paid advertising.