HomeInstagram testing dedicated Story Highlights tab for a more visible profile layout
TLDR
Instagram is testing a dedicated tab for Story Highlights on profile pages, moving them away from their current placement between the bio and post grid.
Creators will be able to manage which Highlights appear on their main grid, with some users already experiencing the change, which aims to improve profile layout and visibility.
This update aligns with previous experiments to enhance content exposure and simplify Instagram profiles, with the goal of encouraging more strategic Story curation by creators.
Instagram is reportedly introducing some changes to where you can view your Instagram Story Highlights. It comes as ReadWrite reported that Meta has been testing new AI-powered profile picture features, which will eventually be accessible on the profile editing page.
Instagram Stories disappear after 24 hours, but Story Highlights allow users to showcase select stories indefinitely. Currently, Highlights are displayed between the bio and the post grid on the profile page. However, starting on Tuesday (Nov. 19), Instagram is said to be giving a dedicated tab for Story Highlights, similar to the existing Reels tab on profile pages.
Social media expert Lindsey Gamble reported that Instagram Story Highlights will remain visible on your main grid, although their exact placement has not been specified yet. Gamble mentioned that the feature is currently being tested with select users. Creators will also be able to “choose which Highlights appear and can remove Highlights from their main grid.”
Lindsey Gamble spotted the new feature on Instagram, Credit: Meta
Instagram attempts to increase exposure for Stories
Instagram chief
" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adam Mosseri recently discussed the update, explaining the goals behind reshaping Story Highlights on profiles: “We’re trying to figure out a way to improve the profile and get more of the content above the fold, and simplify it.
“You will still have control, you can still pin things, there’ll be a dedicated Highlights tab, but we don’t need to have pogs and squares and have it be all complicated and pushing everything down.”
Gamble explains that the update will help to enhance the profile layout because it could improve visibility for this content format. He adds: “With more prominent placement, creators may be encouraged to curate their Stories more strategically to capitalize on the added exposure.”
The change is thought to align with a previous Instagram experiment involving a vertical profile grid layout.
It’s not the first time this has been discussed. In August, app researcher Alessandro Paluzzi shared a preview of the updated profile grid with a dedicated tab for Story Highlights.
ReadWrite has reached out to Meta for more details regarding this feature.
Featured image: Canva
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Suswati Basu is a multilingual, award-winning editor and the founder of the intersectional literature channel, How To Be Books. She was shortlisted for the Guardian Mary Stott Prize and longlisted for the Guardian International Development Journalism Award. With 18 years of experience in the media industry, Suswati has held significant roles such as head of audience and deputy editor for NationalWorld news, digital editor for Channel 4 News and ITV News. She has also contributed to the Guardian and received training at the BBC As an audience, trends, and SEO specialist, she has participated in panel events alongside Google. Her…
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