The Ultimate Guide to Using Instagram Highlights Effectively on Your Profile

Key Notes

  • Instagram Highlights allow you to feature select Stories permanently on your profile.
  • You can add existing Stories to Highlights or create new ones directly from your active Stories.
  • Customize your Highlight covers for a professional and cohesive profile aesthetics.

Elevate Your Instagram Game with Highlights

In an age where aesthetics and storytelling are paramount, Instagram Highlights provide a unique platform for users and brands alike to curate past Stories into permanent collections. These Highlights are instrumental in showcasing your best content while enhancing the overall appeal of your profile. In this guide, we will take you through the ins and outs of creating, managing, and customizing your Instagram Highlights effectively.

Decoding Instagram Highlights

Instagram Highlights serve as a feature that allows users to categorize and showcase their previously shared Stories directly on their profile. Below your bio, you’ll find the Highlights section represented by unique circular icons, offering a snapshot of your favorite content.

Unlike traditional posts that may appear more polished, Stories can encapsulate genuine moments. Highlights present an opportunity to keep those cherished Stories visible and easily accessible for your audience.

How to Incorporate Highlights into Your Profile

Integrating Highlights into your profile is a breeze, especially if you have a well-curated collection of Stories. By default, Instagram archives your Stories unless you turn this feature off. To check the status of archiving, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Instagram Settings

Launch the Instagram app and go to your profile. Tap the menu (hamburger icon) in the top-right corner.

Step 2: Access Archiving Settings

Find the Your app and media section and select Archiving and Downloading.

Step 3: Enable Story Archiving

Ensure the option for Save story to archive is turned on to keep your Stories saved for Highlights.

Step-by-Step Guide to Create New Highlights

Step 4: Create a New Highlight

On your profile, tap the + icon located in the top-right corner, and select Story Highlight from the menu.

Step 5: Select Your Stories

Choose the Stories you’d like to feature and hit Next.

Step 6: Name and Customize Your Highlight

Provide a title for your Highlight, and if desired, click Edit Cover to upload a unique image for your cover. By default, Instagram will use one of the images from your collection for the cover. Once everything looks good, tap Done.

Your new Highlight will now appear on your profile! View your collection of Stories by selecting the corresponding bubble beneath your details.

Step 7: Create Reels from Highlights

To turn your Highlight into a Reel, tap Create at the bottom. This will transform your stories into a captivating video slideshow with the option to add music.

Step 8: Add New Highlights to an Existing Collection

For those who already have Highlights set up, simply tap the New button that appears after your existing bubbles on the profile page.

Adding Active Stories to Highlights

If you currently have an active Instagram Story, you can quickly add it to a Highlight without navigating back to your profile:

Step 9: Open Active Story

Tap the Story you want to highlight and select the Highlight button at the bottom.

Step 10: Choose the Highlight

Pick the Highlight you wish to add the Story to or create a new Highlight directly from this menu.

If you’ve remembered additional Stories you want to include in your Highlights, the process is simple:

Step 11: Select Highlight to Expand

Tap the desired Highlight on your profile, and click the three dots in the bottom-right corner.

Step 12: Edit Highlight

Choose Edit Highlight and switch to the Stories tab to add your selected Stories. Tap Done to finalize changes.

Managing Your Highlights

Removing Highlights

To remove a Highlight, simply locate the Highlight in question, then long-press it until you see options. Select Delete Highlight to remove it from your profile.

Alternatively, to remove specific Stories from a Highlight, tap on the Highlight bubble, find the unwanted Story, hit the three dots, and select Remove from Highlight.

Personalizing Cover Designs for Highlights

Instagram Highlights allow for detailed thematic organization on your profile. This becomes highly valuable for brands seeking to engage their audience. You can leverage Highlights for various purposes:

  • Showcasing brand information
  • Sharing useful tips
  • Highlighting new product launches
  • Promoting special offers
  • Displaying customer testimonials
  • Conducting Q&A sessions or polls

While Instagram automatically assigns a cover from your selected Stories, you can elect to personalize your cover for a more cohesive appearance. Check out these tools to access free Highlight cover templates:

For inspiration on your Highlight design, consider exploring profiles that excel at using Highlights effectively, such as:

Design Therapy

Bandcamp

Postmates

Literary people

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the maximum number of Highlights I can have on my Instagram profile?

While Instagram does not impose a strict limit on the number of Highlights, each Highlight may contain up to 100 Stories.

Can I track who has viewed my Highlights like I can with Stories?

If your Story is still live and has been added to a Highlight, you can see who viewed it for 24 hours; after that, visibility is lost for older Highlights.

Do Highlights disappear after 24 hours like Stories?

No, Highlights will stay on your profile indefinitely unless you choose to delete them.

Summary

Creating and managing Instagram Highlights is a straightforward yet powerful way to enhance your profile’s storytelling capabilities. By effectively utilizing Highlights, you can boost engagement, showcase essential content, and present a polished, professional image that resonates with your audience.

Conclusion

Instagram Highlights are a fantastic opportunity to curate and display your best Stories in a way that remains accessible to your audience. Whether you’re a brand, influencer, or casual user, making the most out of Highlights can significantly improve the professional appearance of your profile while allowing you to share valuable content with your followers. Start creating your Highlights today and watch your engagement soar!