Instagram is making another significant update to its profile layout by relocating Story Highlights from their traditional spot above the profile grid to a dedicated tab within the profile itself. This shift aims to simplify the profile interface, offering a cleaner and more intuitive user experience while maintaining control over Story Highlights.
For tech-savvy users and businesses, this change may impact how Story Highlights are utilized for engagement and visibility. Here’s what you need to know about the update and how it could affect your Instagram strategy.
The New Layout: Where Are Story Highlights Moving?
Currently, Story Highlights appear as circular icons (or “pogs,” as referred to by Instagram’s internal team) at the top of the profile grid, making them one of the first things visitors see. With the new update:
- Story Highlights will be moved to a dedicated tab, represented by a rounded heart icon.
- Within this tab, highlights will be displayed as vertically aligned thumbnail images, each corresponding to a different topic or collection.
- They will also remain visible in the main grid, though the specifics of their placement—whether based on the first or last update to the highlight—are still unclear.
This layout change has been in testing for some time and is now gradually rolling out to users worldwide.
Why Is Instagram Making This Change?
Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram, explained the rationale behind the update, emphasizing the need to:
- Simplify the profile display by reducing clutter and making more content visible “above the fold.”
- Improve usability by offering a cleaner, more streamlined interface that prioritizes key information and visuals.
The circular “pog” icons, while iconic, were considered to take up too much space and complicate the profile’s visual hierarchy. By relocating them, Instagram aims to enhance the overall user experience, especially on mobile devices.
Potential Impact on User Engagement
While the new layout offers a cleaner and more organized profile, it could also affect how often users interact with Story Highlights.
- Reduced Visibility
With highlights no longer front and center, they may receive fewer taps and less engagement. Currently, their prominent position makes them easily accessible, but moving them to a tab may reduce casual viewership. - Shift in User Behavior
Users may need time to adjust to the new layout. Casual visitors who previously engaged with highlights because they were immediately visible might not explore the new tab as frequently. - Opportunities for Strategic Use
Despite potential drawbacks, this change presents new opportunities for brands and creators:- Curate Highlights Strategically: With a dedicated tab, highlights can be more thematically organized, creating a portfolio-like showcase of past stories.
- Promote Highlights in Posts and Stories: Encourage followers to visit the new tab by referencing specific highlights in regular posts and stories.
Maximizing the Value of Story Highlights
To adapt to this change, consider the following strategies to maintain and even enhance engagement with your Story Highlights:
1. Refresh and Reorganize Highlights
Now is the perfect time to update outdated highlights and create new ones that reflect your brand’s current goals and messaging.
- Use eye-catching cover images that align with your brand aesthetics.
- Organize highlights by theme (e.g., product showcases, testimonials, behind-the-scenes content) to make navigation intuitive.
2. Promote the New Tab
Educate your audience about the new location of Story Highlights. This can be done through:
- Temporary Story Announcements: Create a series of stories explaining the change and how to find your highlights.
- Pinned Posts: Use a pinned post on your profile to direct users to the new tab.
3. Leverage Cross-Promotion
Integrate Story Highlights into your broader content strategy by referencing them in other platforms or email newsletters, driving traffic to your Instagram profile.
4. Monitor Engagement Metrics
Track how the change affects your profile’s performance by regularly reviewing insights on Story Highlights views and interactions. Use this data to adjust your strategy accordingly.
Looking Ahead
Instagram’s decision to move Story Highlights to a dedicated tab reflects its broader effort to streamline profile layouts and enhance the user experience. While this change may initially disrupt engagement patterns, it also offers opportunities for users to rethink how they leverage Story Highlights as part of their content strategy.
As Instagram continues to roll out this update, staying adaptable and proactive will be key to maintaining visibility and engagement. Businesses, influencers, and content creators should focus on curating compelling highlights, promoting their new location, and integrating them into a cohesive Instagram strategy to maximize their impact.
