Instagram introduced the Stories feature in 2016, taking inspiration from Snapchat. By 2018, Instagram’s daily user count was double that of Snapchat, thanks to its intuitive interface and continuous feature updates. Whether you're a regular user or a social media pro, there are plenty of hidden features within Instagram Stories that can elevate your content. Let’s explore 12 tips to make your Instagram Stories stand out. Plus, you can use Instatik to download your favorite Stories for offline viewing.
1. Create a Selfie Sticker
Want to add a personal touch or reaction to your Story? You can easily turn your selfie into a sticker.
- Step 1: Open Story mode and either take a new photo or upload an existing one.
- Step 2: Tap the Sticker icon or swipe up, then choose the camera sticker.
- Step 3: Take a selfie using the small camera interface that appears, then tap again to switch between different modes. This adds a lively, interactive element to your Stories.
2. Share Story Highlights (Hot News)
Instagram allows you to share your Story highlights with both Instagram users and non-users.
- Step 1: Visit the Instagram profile with the highlight you want to share.
- Step 2: Press and hold the highlight, and a menu will appear.
- Step 3: Select "Send to" for sharing within Instagram, or "Copy Link" to share the highlight on other platforms. This is perfect for keeping your friends updated with important or fun content.
3. Create a One-Color Background for Stories
If you want to create a clean, single-color background for your Story, you don't need to download any external templates.
- Step 1: Go to Story mode and capture a new photo or upload one from your gallery.
- Step 2: Tap the pen icon at the top of the screen.
- Step 3: Choose a color from the palette, then press and hold anywhere on the image until the background fills with that color. This gives your story a simple yet effective look.
4. Add Interactive Stickers
Instagram offers interactive stickers like polls, emoji sliders, and Q&A stickers, which are great for increasing engagement with your followers.
- Step 1: After capturing or uploading a photo in Story mode, tap the Sticker icon.
- Step 2: Choose from interactive stickers like polls, questions, or emoji sliders.
- Step 3: Customize the sticker and post the Story. These stickers allow you to gather feedback, interact with your audience, and make your Story more dynamic.
5. Blur the Background for a Portrait Effect
You can create a professional-looking portrait effect by blurring the background of your Story.
- Step 1: Visit the profile with the post you want to share on your Story.
- Step 2: Tap and hold the post to enlarge it, then take a screenshot.
- Step 3: Upload the screenshot to your Story. This technique keeps the focus on the subject, giving your Story a more polished appearance.
6. Access Full Color Palette
Did you know Instagram offers more colors than the basic selection you see? Here's how to access the full color palette.
- Step 1: Tap the pen icon or add text in Story mode.
- Step 2: Tap and hold any color to open the entire color spectrum. This allows you to use the exact shade you want, making your Stories more personalized.
7. Share Posts Directly to Your Story
Instagram now makes it easy to share posts from your feed or a friend's feed directly to your Story.
- Step 1: Tap the "Send to" icon (the paper airplane symbol) under any post.
- Step 2: Select "Add Post to Your Story" to open the Story editing screen.
- Step 3: Customize it with text, stickers, or drawings. Users who view your Story can tap directly on the shared post to access it.
8. Regram Someone’s Story
If someone tags you in their Story, Instagram allows you to share that Story on your profile, a feature known as "regramming."
- Step 1: When someone tags you in their Story, you'll receive a notification via DM.
- Step 2: Tap "Add to Your Story" to re-share their content on your profile. This is a great way to engage with your followers and show appreciation for those who tag you.
9. Mute Someone’s Story Without Unfollowing
If you don’t want someone’s Story cluttering your feed but don’t want to unfollow them, you can mute their Story.
- Step 1: Visit the profile of the person whose Stories you want to mute.
- Step 2: Tap the three dots in the top right corner of their profile.
- Step 3: Select "Mute" and then choose "Mute Stories." Alternatively, when their Story appears in your feed, you can hold their Story icon and select "Mute" from the pop-up menu.
10. Use Built-In Templates to Enhance Your Story
Instagram provides built-in templates to give your Stories a stylish look.
- Step 1: Choose the Story mode and either capture a new photo or upload one.
- Step 2: Tap the "Layout" option to choose different templates. Using templates makes your Stories more visually appealing and helps you stand out.
11. Use Music to Set the Mood
Adding music to your Story can make it more engaging and fun.
- Step 1: In Story mode, swipe up and select the music sticker.
- Step 2: Choose a song from the library and select the part of the track you want to use.
- Step 3: You can even adjust how the lyrics appear in your Story. This is a great way to evoke emotions or set a specific mood for your audience.
12. Customize Text with Animation
Make your text pop by adding animations to it.
- Step 1: After typing your text, tap the "A" icon at the top of the screen.
- Step 2: Select an animation style from the available options. This feature adds energy to your Stories, making them more captivating for viewers.
These 12 hidden tips can help you create more engaging, interactive, and visually appealing Instagram Stories. To download your favorite IG stories for later viewing, use Instatik—the perfect tool to save your best moments!
