10 Instagram Features You’re Not Using (But Should)
Today, Instagram is much more than just a place to share a couple of pictures or scroll through someone’s images. Today, it stands as a creative platform that has an all-encompassing array of tools to aid with creativity, privacy, and sharing content. However, there are people aged 7 and even 50 who prefer to use only these basic tools and features of Instagram. As a result, they miss out on some very useful features that can enhance both their experience and results. This article encompasses the 10 features of Instagram that are both useful and underutilized – meaning they are not well-known or publicized.
1. Close Friends List: Share Privately Without the Pressure
Have you ever been in a personal situation where you have wanted to share something, but you did not want the entire world to see it? It is where the Close Friends List makes it exceptionally easy to share certain moments with specific groups of people. With this feature, only the people that you want to share the stories with, for instance, your family or, in some cases, personal jokes, will be able to see them.
How to use it:
- To enable it, all you have to do is go to your profile, click on the three lines located in the upper right corner (☰) and choose “Close Friends.”
- You can add followers of your choice and they will not get notified.
- When you put up a story, you can now select for it to go to “Close Friends” as opposed to “Your Story.”
Why try it?
With the ease of this feature, authentic sharing is wise enough to be protected. Whether you are a student wanting to post prom pictures for your friends to see or a grandparent wanting to document toddler milestones to share with relatives, this option is safe for all.
2. Interactive Story Stickers: Polls, Interactive Quizzes, and So Much More.
Instagram Stories can also be interactive and participatory! With the use of Instagram stickers, such as quizzes and polls, your audience can actively participate. For instance, a baker may want to get votes on which delicious cupcake flavour he should bake next, or a teacher could do a quiz competition with students.
Here are some suggestions for the most popular stickers:
- Poll: “Do you want an A or B logo design?”
- Quiz: “Do you know this movie title? 🎬”
- Question box: “What do you want to know about my trip?”
Pro tip: Use the emoji slider sticker to allow followers to give a rating, for instance, “On a scale of 1-10, how are you looking forward to summer?” 🏖️
3. Guides: Instagram Content Creator Like A Boss
Instagram Guides help organize content like workout videos and Instagram travel guides. These mini-blog-friendly posts allow the compilation of videos or posts to recommend specific topics uniquely. Think of them as ‘themed collections’ that are perfect for travel content, product collections, or educational material.
Here is a stroll guide suggestion:
- Go to your profile, click the “+” sign, and click on the “Guide” tab.
- Add other people’s posts or yours to the list, then add captions for every post.
Example Ideas:
- A fitness coach can create a video guide named “Home Workouts.”
- A bookshop can create and post a new guide for the “Summer Reading List.”
4. Archive Old Posts (Avoid Deleting Them!)
Do you have a photograph that does not suit your aesthetic any longer? Instead of permanently removing it, you can archive it! Archived posts disappear from your public profile but remain in a private folder. You always have the option of restoring them later.
How to archive:
- Click on the three dots (⋯) positioned on top of a post and select “Archive.”
- To see archived posts, navigate to your profile menu (☰) and tap “Archive.”
Why it’s beneficial: You can update your profile while retaining cherished memories.
5. Shopping Tags: Transform a Post into a Storefront
If you deal in products, shopping tags will change the game completely for you. Tag items in your posts or Stories so that users can tap on them and check the prices and even product descriptions. Even small businesses or craftsman creators can take advantage!
How to set it up:
- Convert your account into a Professional/Business account.
- While editing the post, click on “Tag products” and search your items list.
Bonus: In Stories, shop using shopping stickers for a better experience.
6. Go Live With a Friend
Instagram Live is not limited to your broadcasts only. A guest may be invited to your Live video, which makes it an excellent option for interviews and even casual conversations.
Steps to invite someone:
- Go Live on your video.
- Click on the head and shoulders icon and choose a participant to send an invitation.
Suggestion: Why not let a friend or a co-worker assist you in conducting a Q&A or have your children collaborate in an exciting talent contest!?
7. Custom Story Highlight Covers
Those circles underneath your biography are Story Highlights, which are Stories saved to your profile. However, can you create custom covers for them? Matching icons and colours would make your profile more appealing.
How to customize:
- Add a story to highlights by tapping highlight after posting.
- Edit the highlight, tap “Edit Cover”, and select an icon or photo.
Design tip: Use free apps like Canva to customize covers that can be cohesive like minimalist icons or emojis.
8. Restrict Troublemakers Quietly
The Restrict tool allows for silencing unwanted comments or DMs without having to block somebody, which could be more dramatic. When one is restricted:
- Their comments on your posts become private to only them.
- Their DMs go to your request folder and will not view whether you have read them.
How to restrict:
- Go to the user’s profile, tap “Restrict” and confirm.
Perfect for: Teens dealing with school bullies or adults trying to escape family debates.
9. Save Your Posts into Neatly Crafted Collections
If there’s a recipe, workout, or DIY tutorial that you like, do not merely ‘save’ it. Instead, add it to a Collection, which is essentially a themed folder like ‘Recipe Ideas’ or ‘Vacation Spots.’
How to organize:
- To begin, tap the bookmark icon located under any post.
- Select ‘Save to Collection’ and either create a new folder or choose from one that already exists.
Bonus: These Collections are private so no one can tell that you are saving their content.
10. The ‘Add Yours’ sticker: Create a Domino Effect
With this sticker, you can create a public prompt that other people on the platform can reply to using their own Stories. For instance, if you have a picture of your pet, you could post it along with the sticker whilst prompting your followers to display their pets. It allows them to add pet photos, creating a fun string of posts.
How to use it:
- Add it to your Story, come up with a prompt and post it.
Unique practices:
- Tell us about your favorite book cover!
- Upload a picture demonstrating your morning coffee routine
Conclusion
Instagram gives you the opportunity to manage, interact, and express yourself, unlike any other platform. From kids wanting to show their artwork to parents treasuring family photos and even small business owners looking to increase their sales, everyone has something to enjoy from the app. Consider trying photos or clips; it could become your newest favourite way to express yourself.
