Instagram Highlights have curated collections of your past Stories that appear on your profile. Instead of disappearing after 24 hours, these Stories are saved and featured at the top of your profile, allowing followers (and potential new ones) to view your most important content anytime.

Why Use Instagram Highlights?

  • Increased Engagement: Highlights keep your content accessible, which can boost profile engagement and encourage more profile visits.
  • Profile Aesthetic: Custom covers and curated content help make your profile look professional and cohesive.
  • Brand Storytelling: For businesses, Highlights are ideal for showcasing product features, testimonials, promotions, and behind-the-scenes content.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Instagram Highlights

Step 1: Start by Posting Instagram Stories

To create Highlights, you’ll need Stories that have already been posted. If you haven’t created the Stories you want to feature in your Highlights, go ahead and post them first.

  1. Go to your Instagram home screen and tap the plus (+) icon at the top to create a Story.
  2. Add content you’d like to save in a Highlight, such as photos, videos, or graphics.
  3. Post the Story. It will be saved in your Stories Archive (if your Archive setting is turned on), even after it disappears from public view.

Step 2: Access the Stories Archive

Instagram saves all your Stories in the Stories Archive by default. This makes it easy to add older Stories to new Highlights.

  1. Go to your Profile and tap the three-line menu in the top right corner.
  2. Select Archive and ensure you’re in the Stories Archive (you can toggle between Stories, Posts, and Lives here).
  3. From here, you’ll be able to add any archived Stories to new or existing Highlights.

Step 3: Create a New Highlight

Once you have the Stories ready in your Archive, you can start creating a new Highlight:

  1. Go to your profile and tap the New button under the Highlights section.
  2. You’ll see a list of archived Stories. Select the Stories you want to include in your Highlight.
  3. Tap Next after selecting all the Stories you want.

Step 4: Customize the Highlight Cover and Name

Instagram lets you personalize your Highlights with a custom cover and title, making it easy to align your Highlights with your brand aesthetic or theme.

  1. Choose a Cover: Instagram will automatically select an image from your Stories, but you can change it by tapping Edit Cover. You can select a different Story image or upload a custom icon or graphic.
  2. Add a Name: Give your Highlight a concise, relevant name (up to 15 characters) that describes the content.

Pro Tip: Use clear, descriptive names and visually appealing covers to make Highlights easy to understand and attractive to viewers.

Step 5: Edit and Update Your Highlights

In 2024, Instagram makes it easier to edit and update your Highlights without needing to start over. Here’s how to add new Stories to an existing Highlight or remove ones you no longer want:

  • To Add Stories: Go to your profile, tap on the Highlight you want to edit, and then select More > Edit Highlight. Select additional Stories to add.
  • To Remove Stories: Open the Highlight, find the Story you want to remove, tap on More in the bottom right, and select Remove from Highlight.

Updating Highlights helps keep your profile fresh and ensures the content is always relevant.

Tips for Creating Effective Instagram Highlights in 2024

1. Use Custom Highlight Covers

Designing custom covers that match your brand colors or theme can create a professional look for your profile. Apps like Canva or Adobe Spark offer easy-to-use templates for creating custom icons.

2. Organize Highlights Strategically

Organize your Highlights by theme or topic, such as “Products,” “Behind-the-Scenes,” “Testimonials,” or “FAQs.” This makes it easier for visitors to find the content they’re interested in.

3. Keep Highlight Names Short and Clear

Since Highlight names are limited to about 15 characters, use concise, descriptive labels. Short names help users quickly understand the content of each Highlight.

4. Use Highlights to Showcase Key Content

Highlights are perfect for displaying content that introduces new followers to your brand. Use them for “About Us” stories, “New Arrivals,” “Tips,” or “Special Offers.”

5. Regularly Update Your Highlights

Regular updates keep your Highlights relevant and interesting. Remove outdated content or add new Stories to showcase recent updates, promotions, or seasonal content.

Popular Ideas for Instagram Highlights in 2024

Not sure where to start? Here are some popular Highlight ideas that can help you present your content effectively:

  • About Me/Us: Perfect for personal accounts or brand introductions, this Highlight can tell your story.
  • Products/Services: Showcase your products or services with a Highlight that gives followers easy access to details.
  • Customer Reviews: Add credibility by featuring reviews and testimonials from satisfied customers.
  • FAQs: Address common questions in a Highlight to provide quick answers for potential customers.
  • Behind-the-Scenes: Let followers see behind the curtain with a behind-the-scenes Highlight, which adds a personal touch to your profile.
  • Promotions/Sales: Feature sales, promotions, or exclusive offers to drive conversions.

FAQs About Instagram Highlights

1. How Long Can an Instagram Highlight Be?

There’s no limit to the number of Stories you can add to a Highlight, but keeping it concise with 10–15 Stories ensures it’s easy to watch.

2. Can I Rearrange My Highlights?

Yes, to reorder Highlights, you can add a new Story to an older Highlight, which moves it to the beginning of the Highlights section.

3. Can I See Who Viewed My Highlights?

Instagram only shows viewers for the first 48 hours after you add a Story to a Highlight. After that, view metrics are no longer available.

Conclusion

Creating Instagram Highlights in 2024 is an excellent way to make your profile more engaging and informative. With the ability to customize covers, organize by topic, and regularly update content, Highlights are a powerful tool for keeping followers interested and attracting new ones. Follow these steps and tips to create Highlights that effectively showcase your best content and represent your brand.

Want to create Instagram Highlights that capture attention and tell your story in a polished, professional way? At Workroom, we specialize in short-form video editing to help agencies, businesses, and creators showcase their best content on Instagram. Whether you need eye-catching cover designs or expertly edited Stories for your Highlights, we’re here to help make your profile unforgettable.

Last Updated on November 14, 2024