Over 36% of brands use Instagram Stories to promote their products. That’s a massive opportunity for brands and businesses to show off what they’re all about. While regular Stories disappear after a day, Instagram Story Highlights are permanent. Think of Highlights as a way to keep your best collections of Stories in the spotlight, ensuring they leave a lasting impression and keep followers engaged.
If you know how to use them, Highlights can help you make a more significant brand impact, boost your visibility, and enhance your overall IG presence. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about using Instagram Highlights to enhance your brand’s reach and connect with your audience meaningfully.
What Are Instagram Story Highlights?
Instagram Story Highlights is a handy feature that lets you keep a collection of saved Stories on your profile for as long as you want. Unlike regular Stories, which appear for just 24 hours, the Story Highlight feature lets you showcase permanent Stories representing your brand’s best moments, key messages, or essential info.
You can give each Highlight a title and even create a custom Highlight cover image, making it easy for people visiting your Instagram profile to find and explore. In short, Highlights turns your best Stories into lasting brand showcases – a great tool to keep audiences interested and show off what makes you unique in an eye-catching way.
Why Instagram Story Highlights Matter for Brands?
Story Highlights can be gold for anyone looking to build a brand on Instagram and showcase what makes them unique. Think of them as a permanent spotlight for your best content – your products, services, behind-the-scenes peeks, and even your latest deals. They’re a great way to shape your brand identity and keep your visibility high, even when you’re not actively posting.
With Highlights, you’re not just hoping customers catch your Stories in that 24-hour window. You’re creating a long-term home for the best content on your profile. This means more customer engagement, as people can easily find and interact with your key messages anytime. It’s all about making a lasting impact and giving visitors a quick visual tour of your brand.
How to Create Instagram Stories Highlights?
Two simple ways to create Story Highlights: Add highlights to an active story or from the saved stories in the Archives.
1. Create Highlights Using an Active Story
Here’s how to create Instagram Highlights using a Story that’s still live on Instagram:
- Tap on your active Instagram Story to view it.
- Look for the heart icon in your screen’s bottom right corner and tap “Highlights.”
- You’ll see a “+” icon. This is your ticket to a “New Highlight.”
- Hit that “Add” button, and you’re all set!
If you want to see your new Highlight, go to your profile section, and you’ll find it right there under your bio.
2. Create Highlights from Archived Stories
Before proceeding, ensure you’ve turned on the “Save Story to Archive” feature in your Settings. Otherwise, your stories won’t be saved. Once that’s done, here’s how to create Highlights from your past Stories:
- Tap the “New” circle under your bio section on the profile page.
- You’ll see all your archived Stories here. Pick the ones you want and tap “Next.”
- Choose a name that fits your brand. Maybe it’s “Behind the Scenes,” “Product Launch,” “Offers,” or “Updates” – whatever tells your story best.
- Design a cover that catches the eye, or upload one that fits your style. This is your chance to show off your brand value.
How to Add Stories to Existing Highlights
You can also easily edit your Instagram Highlights to include new Stories. Here’s how:
- Head to your main Instagram profile page.
- Then tap on the Highlight you want to update.
- Click the “More” option (three dots), then choose “Edit Highlight.”
- Pick the Stories you want to add from the Archives, then tap “Done” to update your Highlight.
7 Tips for Using Instagram Highlights to Increase Brand Reach
Here are the essential strategies for making the most of your story highlights and boosting your Brand presence.
1. Showcase Products or Services
Think of your Highlights as your brand’s showroom – where you can let your product Highlights shine—got a new clothing line? Create a Highlight for each season, showcasing the features that make your pieces stand out. Are you selling tech gadgets? Group your Highlights by categories like “Smart Home” or “Wearables.”
And don’t forget to create buzz around your new arrivals – give them their highlights to build excitement. But don’t just post static product shots. Mix it up with videos of your products in action, customer unboxing clips, etc. And remember, people love a good “how-to” – so throw in some quick tutorials on getting the most out of your products.
2. Add Customer Testimonials
Social proof is everything on Instagram, so adding customer testimonials to your Highlights is vital. These real-life reviews impact buying decisions way more than marketing messages. But don’t just stick to text – encourage customers to send in video reviews, reactions, and recommendations.
This user-generated content feels more authentic and allows your customers to be in the spotlight. To collect even more positive feedback, run a contest where customers can win prizes for the most creative review. Or create a unique hashtag for people to use when they post about your products. Then, feature the best ones in your Highlights.
3. Share Tutorials, Guides, and DIY Content
People love learning new things, especially when it’s fun and easy. That’s where how-tos and educational content come in – a magnet for curious followers. Do you have a beauty brand? Create makeup tutorials for different occasions. Are you selling cooking gadgets? Whip up some quick recipes that show off your products. Make your audience feel like they’re getting insider tips.
Think broader – what lifestyle tips could you offer that align with your brand? A fitness brand could share quick workout routines, while a tech company might offer productivity hacks. You build trust and keep your audience hooked by providing value beyond just your products. Plus, this kind of content is super shareable, helping to expand your reach even further.
4. Show Behind the Scenes Content (BTS)
People are naturally curious, so behind-the-scenes content is ideal for your Highlights. It’s not just about showing how your products are made (although that can be fascinating). It’s about giving your followers a sense of connection to your brand. Show them the faces behind the products, the brainstorming sessions, and even the silly moments in your office.
If you’re planning a photoshoot, document the setup, the bloopers, and the before-and-after. If you’re launching a new product, take your followers from the initial concept to the final design. The key is authenticity—let your brand’s personality shine through. This content helps humanize your brand and builds a stronger emotional connection with your audience.
5. Promote Special Offers
Everyone loves a good deal, and your Highlights are the perfect place to showcase your special offers and discounts. But don’t just stick to boring “20% off” announcements. Get creative. Maybe a “Deal of the Week” Highlight that changes regularly. Or a “Flash Sale” Highlight that pops up unexpectedly. You could create a Highlight for your loyalty program, showing off the exclusive perks members get.
Think beyond just discounts, too. Maybe you offer free shipping on certain days or a buy-one-get-one deal on slow-moving stock. Perhaps you offer bundled packages that offer great value or limited-edition products only available to your Instagram followers. Use countdown stickers to create urgency or design eye-catching graphics that make your deals impossible to ignore.
6. Create FAQs with Answers
An FAQ Highlight gives your audience quick answers about your products and services right at their fingertips. Think about the questions your customer service team gets asked most often. What are the quirky, unexpected things people want about your brand or products? Use a mix of formats to make your FAQs engaging.
Short video clips of team members answering questions can add a personal touch, and infographics can make complex information easy to digest. And remember to update your FAQs regularly based on new questions. You could even run a “Question of the Week” feature in your Stories, then add the best ones to your FAQ Highlight.
7. Show off Your Achievements
Everyone loves a success Story, and your Highlights are the perfect place to share yours. Showcasing your brand and business achievements isn’t just about bragging – it’s about building credibility and trust with your audience. If you’ve won an industry award, create a Highlight showcasing the ceremony and your team’s celebration.
When you reach a milestone in sales or customer numbers, share the journey that got you there. But don’t just focus on significant, formal achievements – take the time to celebrate the little things. You could even create a “Growth Story” Highlight that charts your brand’s journey from its early days to now.
The trick is to be genuine and humble – share your pride in your achievements and acknowledge your customers and your team’s role in your success.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can You See Who Viewed Instagram Highlights?
Yes, but you can only check who saw your Highlights within 24 hours of posting your Story. After that, the view stats disappear. However, you can still see the viewers list and count for up to 48 hours, giving you more time to track engagement.
2. How Many Highlights Can You Have on Instagram?
There’s no limit to the number of Instagram Highlights you can have. You can create as many Highlights as you want.
3. How Many Stories Can You Include in Your Instagram Highlight?
Each highlight can include up to 100 Stories.
4. How Do I Delete Highlights on Instagram?
Tap and hold on to that Highlight, then select “Delete Highlight” from the options that appear.
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