Level Up Engagement & Content: 5 New Instagram Features for Marketers, Creators, and Businesses

Instagram is constantly evolving, adding new features and updating existing ones. While all this change can be overwhelming, many updates are designed to simplify your life and elevate your social media experience. Here are 5 recent Instagram updates that will save you time, boost engagement, and make managing your online presence a breeze:

1. Craft Custom Stickers to Level Up Your Stories: Get creative with the new "Cut Out" sticker! With the new iPhone iOS update, you can crop anything from your photos and turn it into a sticker! It gets stored in your iMessage stickers but you can also upload them to Instagram for your stories. 

Imagine highlighting specific parts of an image, adding quirky shapes, or even incorporating branded elements for enhanced recognition. This opens up endless possibilities for engaging and interactive storytelling.

2. Peek Before You Post: Preview Your Feed: We've all experienced the post-publish regret of an awkward layout or a post that just looks a bit random next to the others. Instagram now lets you preview how your post will look in your feed before hitting "Share." 

This allows you to see how your carousel would look overall with your feed so you can switch out photos for the aesthetic you’re going for. This helps creators and influencers keep their feed aesthetic, and company accounts on brand. It’s a great function for brand consistency and to keep your profile’s overall look engaging and dynamic.

3. Amplify Engagement: Share Comments in Your Stories: Encourage discussion and drive interest by sharing comments you receive on your posts to your Stories.

This feature lets you highlight positive feedback, publicly address questions, and spark conversation. It's a fantastic way to engage your audience, build community, and show appreciation for their interaction, as they will see that you have a genuine connection with them. 

4. Ditch the Third-Party Apps: Download Reels Seamlessly: If you previously used any third-party apps to download Instagram Reels or even tried to screen record, now you don’t have to! 

Instagram now allows you to download Reels directly within the app. Simply navigate to the three-dot menu on your chosen Reel and tap "Download." This streamlined process simplifies content curation and repurposing, making it easier to share Reels across other platforms or save them for future use.

5. Edit on the Fly: Revert to Draft After Posting: Typos happen, inspiration strikes, and sometimes content needs a tweak after going live. The ability to retract a post to draft gives you breathing room! 

Edit captions, adjust hashtags, or even swap images within the first 15 minutes of posting. This safety net is a game-changer, allowing you to perfect your content even after hitting "Share."

These are just a few recent Instagram updates designed to empower creators and businesses. By incorporating these features into your strategy, you can save time, streamline your workflow, and create a more engaging and interactive online presence. So, dive in, explore these updates, and watch your Instagram experience transform!

Bonus Tip: Stay ahead of the curve by keeping yourself updated on new Instagram features and functionalities. Follow digital marketing blogs, engage with industry experts, and explore the app's settings to discover hidden gems that can optimize your social media efforts.