Instagram Updates You Need to Know About

Instagram has some new features and updates that significantly impact how content is created, shared, and measured. Even if they are changes you didn't want or ask for, staying informed about these changes is essential for maximizing your impact on the platform. In this blog, I explore the latest Instagram updates in 2024, including how-to guides and best practices to help you make the most of these new features.

(Curious about how to increase your reach with these new updates? Check out my in-depth guide on What’s Up with Instagram Reach and How to Increase Yours.)

Goodbye to Squares as the Default Format

Instagram has moved away from the iconic square post as the default format, embracing a broader range of aspect ratios. This change is designed to create a more immersive experience, allowing for taller and wider images and videos that capture more attention on mobile devices.

How To:

• Experiment with Aspect Ratios: Use vertical formats like 9:16 for full-screen engagement, especially on mobile.
• Optimize for Engagement: Leverage the extra space to add more details, text overlays, or calls to action that drive interaction.

Best Practices:

• Tell a Visual Story: Use the expanded format to create a narrative that draws viewers in.
• Test Different Ratios: Experiment with various aspect ratios to see which ones resonate most with your audience.

Instagram Notes

Instagram Notes allows users to share short, text-based updates in the Direct Messages (DM) section. This feature is perfect for quick, casual communication without the need for a full post or Story.

How To:

• From your inbox, tap the "+" icon in the top right corner.
• Select "Leave a note."
• Type your message (up to 60 characters) and choose who to share it with (followers you follow back or your Close Friends list).
• Tap "Share."

Best Practices:

• Keep It Concise: With a 60-character limit, make every word count.
• Spark Engagement: Use Notes to ask questions or share intriguing thoughts that encourage replies.
• Promote Exclusives: Tease upcoming content or events to build anticipation.

Removal of Instagram Highlights Icons from Bio Section

Instagram is currently testing a layout change where Highlights icons may be removed from the Bio section and moved to your profile grid, likely as a separate tab similar to Reels. While this change is still in the testing phase, it could significantly impact how users interact with your profile and access your Highlights.

What This Means:

• Prepare for Change: Keep an eye on this potential update and be ready to adjust your profile strategy if Highlights are relocated.
• Adapt Your Content: If Highlights are moved, consider how you can use other profile elements, like Stories or Reels, to ensure key content remains easily accessible.

Best Practices:

• Stay Informed: Monitor Instagram’s official channels for updates on this feature so you can adapt quickly.
• Reorganize Your Profile: If Highlights are moved, consider reorganizing your profile to ensure that your most important content is still front and center.

The Growing Importance of Instagram Views and Video Content

Views as the New Universal Metric

Instagram has recently announced that views will now be a key metric across all forms of content, not just video. This change underscores the platform’s focus on ensuring content is engaging and retains viewer attention. For Reels specifically, the term ‘plays’ will be replaced by ‘views,’ aligning this metric with how other content is measured.

How To:

• Monitor Views in Insights: Track the number of views on all your content types through the Insights tab, which now includes this new metric.
• Optimize for Views: Create content that captures and holds viewer attention, whether it’s through engaging thumbnails, compelling introductions, or interactive elements.

Best Practices:

• Focus on Engagement: High views often correlate with high engagement, so create content that encourages comments, shares, and likes.
• Use Analytics: Regularly check your Insights to see which content is generating the most views and refine your strategy accordingly.
• Adapt Quickly: With views becoming a critical metric, be ready to adjust your content strategy to prioritize formats and topics that drive high viewership.

Instagram Broadcast Channels

Broadcast Channels allow select creators to send updates directly to their followers, similar to a one-way communication channel. This feature is ideal for keeping your audience informed and engaged with minimal effort.

How To: (Currently limited to select creators, wider rollout expected soon)

• Create a channel from your inbox.
• Name your channel and choose whether it's for all followers or just paid subscribers.
• Start sending text, photo, video, and voice note updates to your channel members.

Best Practices:

• Segment Your Audience: Create different channels for various interests to deliver targeted content.
• Offer Exclusives: Provide early access, discounts, or behind-the-scenes content to incentivize joining.
• Host Interactive Sessions: Use channels for Q&As or polls to foster community engagement.

Improved Instagram Reels Editing

Instagram has introduced new tools for editing Reels, making it easier to create high-quality, engaging videos. These updates include precise audio editing, new transitions, and other creative features.

How To:

• Access the Reels editor as usual and explore the new editing options.
• Experiment with precise audio editing, new transitions, and other creative tools.

Best Practices:

• Tell a Compelling Story: Use the editing features to create a narrative that keeps viewers engaged.
• Leverage Transitions: Smooth transitions make your Reels more dynamic and visually appealing.
• Use Music Strategically: Enhance the mood and impact of your Reels with carefully chosen audio elements.

Collabs on Instagram Reels

Instagram now allows users to collaborate on Reels, sharing the content across both profiles. This feature is a powerful way to expand your audience by tapping into your collaborator's followers.

How To:

• When creating a Reel, tap the "Invite Collaborator" button.
• Search for and select the account you want to collaborate with.
• Once they accept, the Reel will be shared on both profiles.

Best Practices:

• Choose Collaborators Wisely: Partner with accounts that share a similar audience and complementary content.
• Create Engaging Content Together: Brainstorm ideas that showcase both brands and encourage cross-promotion.
• Cross-Promote: Share the collaboration on both profiles and encourage followers to engage with the content.

New Insights on Instagram Reels

Instagram has enhanced its analytics for Reels, offering deeper insights into metrics like total watch time, average watch time, and engagement rates. These analytics are crucial for understanding what content resonates with your audience.

How To:

• Go to your Reels and tap the insights button (three dots icon).
• Explore detailed analytics on total watch time, average watch time, and other metrics.

Best Practices:

• Analyze Your Data: Use the insights to identify your top-performing Reels and understand what resonates with your audience.
• Experiment with Formats: Test different video lengths and styles to see what works best.
• Monitor Progress: Track your Reels' performance over time to refine your strategy and optimize for better results.

Instagram Inspiration Hub

The Inspiration Hub is a new feature that helps creators stay on top of trends by showcasing popular Reels, songs, and audio clips. It’s an excellent tool for sparking new ideas and keeping your content fresh.

How To:

• Access the Inspiration Hub from your professional dashboard.
• Browse trending Reels, songs, audio, and clips for inspiration.

Best Practices:

• Stay Trendy: Use the Inspiration Hub to discover what’s popular and incorporate those elements into your content.
• Be Creative: Adapt trending ideas to fit your brand's voice and style, making them your own.
• Innovate, Don’t Imitate: Use the Inspiration Hub as a starting point for creating unique, original content.

Enhanced Instagram Algorithm

Instagram’s algorithm has been updated to prioritize original content and authentic engagement. This means that content created and shared directly by users will likely perform better than reposted material. (Struggling with your reach? Check out my in-depth guide on What’s Up with Instagram Reach and How to Increase Yours.)

Best Practices:

• Focus on Original Content: Create unique Reels, photos, and captions that reflect your brand's identity.
• Limit Reposts: While sharing content from other accounts can be valuable, prioritize your own original posts to maximize reach.
• Engage Authentically: Encourage comments, likes, and shares by creating content that resonates with your audience and sparks conversation.

Focus on Short-form Videos on Instagram

Short-form video, particularly Reels, continues to be a central focus for Instagram. With the platform's algorithm favoring this format, creating engaging, concise videos is more important than ever.

Best Practices:

• Prioritize Reels: Make Reels a key component of your content strategy to capitalize on Instagram's focus on short-form video.
• Experiment with Storytelling: Use 60-second Stories to share more detailed, yet concise, content.
• Capture Attention Quickly: In short-form video, the first few seconds are critical. Make sure your content grabs attention immediately and delivers value fast.

Live Instagram Shopping

Instagram has been expanding its live shopping features, allowing users to purchase products directly during live streams. This feature integrates e-commerce with real-time engagement, making it easier for businesses to convert viewers into customers.

How To:

• Start a Live Broadcast: Use Instagram Live to showcase products in real-time.
• Add Shopping Links: During your live broadcast, you can add shopping links to products, allowing viewers to purchase directly from the stream.
• Promote Your Live Event: Use Stories, posts, and Reels to announce your upcoming live shopping event and encourage followers to tune in.

Best Practices:

• Showcase Products Authentically: Demonstrate how products can be used in real life. This authenticity can help build trust and drive sales.
• Engage with Viewers: Respond to questions and comments during the live stream to create a more interactive shopping experience.
• Promote Limited-Time Offers: Create a sense of urgency by offering exclusive discounts or promotions during the live shopping event.

Updated Direct Messaging Features - Instagram DMs

Instagram has rolled out updates to its Direct Messaging (DM) features, including voice messages, group chats, and disappearing messages. These updates enhance how users can interact privately, making DMs a more versatile tool for communication.

How To:

• Send Voice Messages: Hold the microphone icon in the DM chat to send a voice message.
• Create Group Chats: Start a new DM and add multiple users to create a group chat.
• Send Disappearing Messages: Swipe up in a chat to send a message that disappears after being viewed.

Best Practices:

• Use Voice for Personal Touch: Voice messages can add a personal touch to your interactions, making your communication feel more genuine.
• Leverage Group Chats for Community Building: Use group chats to create small, engaged communities around shared interests or topics.
• Disappearing Messages for Exclusives: Share exclusive content or offers through disappearing messages to create a sense of exclusivity and urgency.

By staying informed about these changes and implementing the best practices outlined in this blog, you can leverage Instagram’s latest features to boost your reach, engagement, and overall success. Remember, the key is to stay adaptable, creative, and focused on delivering valuable content that resonates with your audience.

FAQ: Instagram 2024 Updates

Q: What are the most significant Instagram updates in 2024?

A: Instagram has introduced several major updates in 2024 that affect how users create, share, and interact with content. Key updates include:

• The shift from Instagram square posts as the default format to more dynamic aspect ratios.
• Instagram Notes for sharing short, text-based updates in the DM section.
• Instagram Broadcast Channels allowing creators to send updates directly to followers.
• Improved Instagram Reels Editing tools for enhanced video creation.
• Collabs on Instagram Reels, which enables content sharing across multiple profiles.
• New Insights on Instagram Reels for deeper analytics on video performance.
• Instagram Inspiration Hub for discovering trending content and sparking creativity.
• Enhanced Instagram Algorithm that prioritizes original content and authentic engagement.
• Focus on Short-form Video, particularly Instagram Reels, as a central content strategy.
• Instagram Views as a Universal Metric across all content types, replacing ‘plays’ with ‘views’ on Instagram Reels.
• Testing Removal of Instagram Highlights Icons from the Instagram Bio section to the profile grid.
• Instagram Live Shopping features allowing product purchases directly during live streams.
• Updated Instagram DM Direct Messaging Features including voice messages, group chats, and disappearing messages.

Q: How do I use the new Instagram Notes feature?

A: Instagram Notes allows you to share short, text-based updates directly within the DM section of the app.

How To:

1. Open your inbox and tap the "+" icon in the top right corner.
2. Select "Leave a note."
3. Type your message (up to 60 characters) and choose who to share it with (followers you follow back or your Close Friends list).
4. Tap "Share."

Best Practices:

• Keep It Concise: With a character limit of 60, make every word count.
• Engage Instagram Followers: Use Notes to ask questions or share thoughts that prompt replies.
• Promote Events: Tease upcoming content or events to build anticipation.

Q: What are Broadcast Channels on Instagram and how do they work?

A: Broadcast Channels are a feature that allows select creators to send updates directly to their followers, similar to a one-way communication channel.

How To:

1. Create a channel from your inbox (currently limited to select creators, with a wider rollout expected soon).
2. Name your channel and decide whether it's for all followers or just paid subscribers.
3. Start sending text, photo, video, and voice note updates to your channel members.

Best Practices:

• Segment Your Audience: Create different channels for various interests to deliver targeted content.
• Offer Exclusive Content: Provide early access, discounts, or behind-the-scenes insights to incentivize joining.
• Promote Interaction: Use channels for Q&As or polls to engage your community.

Q: What new editing tools are available for Instagram Reels?

A: Instagram has enhanced its Instagram Reels editing tools in 2024, offering more options for creating and refining video content.

How To:

1. Access the Instagram Reels editor as usual and explore the new editing options.
2. Experiment with precise audio editing, new transitions, and other creative tools.

Best Practices:

• Tell a Compelling Story: Use the editing features to craft a narrative that keeps viewers engaged.
• Leverage Transitions: Smooth transitions can make your Reels more dynamic and appealing.
• Use Music Wisely: Choose audio that enhances the mood and impact of your Reels.

Q: How do Collabs on Instagram Reels work and how can I use them?

A: Collabs on Reels allow you to create content with another user and share it across both profiles, reaching both audiences.

How To:

1. When creating an Instagram Reel, tap the "Invite Collaborator" button.
2. Search for and select the account you want to collaborate with.
3. Once they accept, the Reel will be shared on both profiles.

Best Practices:

• Choose the Right Collaborators: Partner with accounts that share a similar audience and complement your content.
• Create Engaging Collaborative Content: Work together on ideas that showcase both brands effectively.
• Cross-Promote: Encourage both audiences to engage with the collaboration by sharing it across profiles.

Q: How can I use the new Instagram Reels Insights to improve my content?

A: Instagram’s new Reels Insights provide detailed analytics on metrics like total watch time, average watch time, and engagement rates.

How To:

1. Go to your Reels and tap the insights button (three dots icon).
2. Explore detailed analytics on total watch time, average watch time, and other metrics.

Best Practices:

• Analyze Performance: Identify which Reels perform best and understand what resonates with your audience.
• Experiment with Formats: Test different video lengths and styles based on insights.
• Monitor Trends: Track your Reels' performance over time to refine your strategy and optimize for better results.

Q: What is the Instagram Inspiration Hub and how can it help me create content?

A: The Inspiration Hub is a feature designed to help creators stay on top of trends by showcasing popular Reels, songs, and audio clips.

How To:

1. Access the Inspiration Hub from your professional dashboard.
2. Browse trending Reels, songs, audio, and clips for inspiration.

Best Practices:

• Stay Updated on Trends: Use the Inspiration Hub to discover what’s popular and incorporate those elements into your content.
• Adapt and Innovate: Don’t just copy trends—adapt them to fit your brand’s voice and style.
• Spark Creativity: Use trending content as a starting point for creating your own unique, engaging content.

Q: How has Instagram’s algorithm changed in 2024 and how can I optimize for it?

A: Instagram’s algorithm in 2024 has been updated to prioritize original content and authentic engagement. The algorithm now favors content that is created directly by users over reposted material.

Best Practices:

• Focus on Original Content: Create unique Reels, photos, and captions that reflect your brand's identity.
• Limit Reposts: While sharing content from other accounts can be valuable, prioritize your own original posts to maximize reach.
• Engage Authentically: Encourage comments, likes, and shares by creating content that resonates with your audience and sparks conversation.

Q: How important is short-form video on Instagram in 2024?

A: Short-form video, particularly Reels, continues to be a central focus for Instagram in 2024. The platform's algorithm heavily favors this format, making it essential for creators to prioritize short-form content.

Best Practices:

• Prioritize Reels: Make Reels a key component of your content strategy to capitalize on Instagram's focus on short-form video.
• Capture Attention Quickly: The first few seconds are critical, so make sure your content grabs attention immediately.
• Tell a Story: Use concise storytelling techniques to engage viewers and deliver value quickly.

Q: What are Instagram views and how do they differ from previous metrics?

A: In 2024, Instagram introduced views as a key metric across all forms of content, replacing the term ‘plays’ with ‘views’ specifically for Reels. This change reflects Instagram's focus on ensuring content is engaging and retains viewer attention.

How To:

• Monitor Views in Insights: Track the number of views on all your content types through the Insights tab.
• Optimize for Instagram Views: Create content that captures and holds viewer attention, whether it’s through engaging thumbnails, compelling introductions, or interactive elements.

Best Practices:

• Focus on Engagement: High views often correlate with high engagement, so create content that encourages comments, shares, and likes.
• Use Analytics: Regularly check your Insights to see which content is generating the most views and refine your strategy accordingly.

Q: What should I expect from Instagram’s testing of Highlights icon removal from the Bio section?

A: Instagram is currently testing a change where Highlights icons may be removed from the Bio section and moved to your profile grid, potentially as a separate tab similar to Reels.

What This Means:

• Prepare for Change: Be ready to adjust your profile strategy if Highlights are relocated.
• Adapt Your Content: If Highlights are moved, consider how you can use other profile elements, like Stories or Reels, to ensure key content remains easily accessible.

Best Practices:

• Stay Informed: Monitor Instagram’s official channels for updates on this feature.
• Reorganize Your Profile: If Highlights are moved, consider reorganizing your profile to ensure that your most important content is still front and center.

Q: How can I leverage Instagram’s Live Shopping feature?

A: Instagram’s Live Shopping feature allows users to purchase products directly during live streams, integrating e-commerce with real-time engagement.

How To:

1. Start a Live Broadcast using Instagram Live.
2. Add shopping links to products during your live broadcast, allowing viewers to purchase directly from the stream.
3. Promote your live shopping event through Stories, posts, and Reels to drive attendance.

Best Practices:

• Showcase Products Authentically: Demonstrate how products can be used in real life to build trust and drive sales.
• Engage with Viewers: Respond to questions and comments during the live stream to create a more interactive shopping experience.
• Promote Limited-Time Offers: Create a sense of urgency by offering exclusive discounts or promotions during the live shopping event.

Q: What are the latest updates to Instagram’s Direct Messaging features?

A: Instagram has rolled out updates to its Direct Messaging (DM) features, including voice messages, group chats, and disappearing messages, enhancing how users can interact privately.

How To:

• Send Voice Messages: Hold the microphone icon in the DM chat to send a voice message.
• Create Group Chats: Start a new DM and add multiple users to create a group chat.
• Send Disappearing Messages: Swipe up in a chat to send a message that disappears after being viewed.

Best Practices:

• Use Voice for Personal Touch: Voice messages can add a personal touch to your interactions, making your communication feel more genuine.
• Leverage Group Chats for Community Building: Use group chats to create small, engaged communities around shared interests or topics.
• Disappearing Messages for Exclusives: Share exclusive content or offers through disappearing messages to create a sense of exclusivity and urgency.