6 Must-Know Instagram Features for 2022
What’s New on Instagram?
Going into the new year with an understanding of Instagram’s updated features is the best way to make sure you have a strong social media strategy. Collabs, Instagram Live scheduling, guides, and vertical stories are just some of the new features Instagram has recently created. Even older features like Reels can be difficult to get the hang of at first, but these 6 must-know Instagram features will help guide you through 2022!
Collabs
Collabs are a new feature to Instagram that allows users to co-author feed posts and reels. Users can invite another creator to collaborate on a post with them, which allows both users’ audiences to see the post that gets shared to both users’ profiles. This kind of post is useful if you’re looking to engage with another account’s community or bring engagement to your own page.
Instagram Lives
Instagram Live is not a new feature to the social platform, but an updated benefit to Live is that now creators can schedule a Live for up to 90 days in advance. Live scheduling is meant to help creators build excitement within their community about upcoming Live events. It can also help to make a page more discoverable on Instagram. Users can go into “practice mode” when preparing to go Live, allowing them to get the best setup possible before sharing their surroundings with their audience.
Vertical Stories
Instagram has slowly started rolling out vertical story viewing. This would bring users a new browsing experience when it comes to watching Instagram Stories. Similar to scrolling through a TikTok feed, users would swipe vertically to watch the next person’s Instagram Story. So far, this feature is limited to certain test groups, but the likelihood of this feature being released to all users becomes more likely as head of Instagram Adam Mosseri says the platform is looking to create a more “streamlined experience” on the app.
Guides
Creating an Instagram Guide is a fun way to show your audience places, products, or posts that you recommend. Creating a Guide is easy, just click the plus sign at the top of your profile as you would to make a new post and select the Guide option. This will allow you to choose the type of Guide you want to share and customize it to fit your brand with photos, location tags, and text. This feature is great for making gift guides, product guides, or guides to show your community local spots you enjoy.
Reels
While Reels aren’t a new feature to Instagram, they are becoming more popular and are a great way to express your brand through videos. Reels allow users to keep up with trends and new music, and you can even Remix a Reel to create your own Reel alongside an existing one. The best way to get your Reel seen is to share it to your feed and include 3-5 hashtags in your caption.
Bio Optimization
An Instagram Bio is one of the first impressions users will have of your profile. A Bio should tell users a little bit about what your account will share and why your account is follow-worthy. Some tips for a strong Instagram Bio include creating a searchable name in the Bio name field, pointing out your skills and target audience, using keywords relevant to what you post about, and adding relevant links or contact information.
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