Instagram is one of the most sought after platform. Similar to Facebook, It has features like comment, share, follow, Like. What stands out on Instagram is its key feature of posting stories on Instagram. It is the most and heavily used feature on Instagram.

Instagram is helping everyone to create & share their thoughts through stories. It is continuously adding new filters that help transform the images and gain attraction. Some more features like boomerang, Layout, Superzoom, Hand-free are the cool features of adding new stories on Instagram.

The new Instagram Stories updates are as follows:

• Create Mode on Instagram
• Stories Donation stickers
• Close Friends List
• Instagram Music stickers
• Reels
• AR Filters
• Shoppable Tags in stories.

Whosoever wants followers or wants to advertise their product on the Instagram platform, The above updates will help with extra engagement on Instagram. It is also helpful for those who enjoy connecting with people’s live Streaming on the social platform. Many users post engaging content and videos on this platform and these new features open more possibilities to that creativity.

Create Mode on Instagram

This mode helps the user to create new content. Create option is used to add information or thoughts to spread love and connection by various methods. Create mode has feature like shoutouts, GIFs, templates, Poll, Questions, Donations, countdown, Quiz and many more.

Users can also tag their friends in pictures. Add stories with friends and tag them to react to your stories and get comments. During this lockdown, it is one of the best ways to spend time with friends and family.

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Stories Donation stickers

Donation sticker is a great idea from Instagram during this crucial time. It helps the government and NGOs to get donation through social media. It does not only help to create content but also helps to create funds for needy ones.

Steps to create Donation stickers and Get donations are as follows:-

1. Set up Donations on your Facebook page.
2. Connect your Instagram to your Facebook account.
3. Make sure you have an Instagram business profile.
4. Once you’re registered as a business profile and connect your Facebook and Instagram accounts, your NGO should show up in the sticker donation search for users searching for NGOs on Instagram.

Tips for Advertisers

1. It helps nonprofit organizations collaborate with an influencer or celebrity to bring publicity and drive donations.
2. If you’re a nonprofit, benefit your audience to organize fundraisers at scale.
3. If marketer, organize a fundraiser for a worthy cause to humanize and bring buzz around the brand.
4. You can now shop your favourite.

Close Friends List

This feature is used in the stories on Instagram which helps to share with your close friends only. This feature helps to create a list of close friends. while sharing your stories on Instagram it gives a feature to share with all friends or close friends. It also gives the option to share your thoughts or pictures for your personal use. Once you share with close friends only those friends will be able to react or comment on those posts.

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Instagram Music stickers

This music sticker is one of the new and brilliant feature introduced by Instagram. Users can add stickers while adding an image or photos which describes your current moods and share your views and thoughts. Music is the best way to express things. This sticker helps to select Audio from your devices and play the music after posting the image.

Steps to add music to Instagram Story:

1. Select a photo or video to add to the Story of your choice.
2. Tap to add a sticker and select the music icon from the menu.
3. Browse different genres, moods, or top charts.
4. Listen to a preview by tapping the play button before posting. If you want to make sure it’s the right song.
5. Find the perfect clip for your picture or video.
6. Additional Feature: You can pick your song clip before taking a video for your Instagram Story. Also by swiping to Music and selecting a song before hitting record.

Reels

With the new update, Instagram users can create 15 seconds small video clips set to music and share them as Stories and share them with friends and able to create some small content. Clips also have the potential to go viral on a new “Top Reels” section on the Explore page. Just like TikTok, the feature will have an immense music database and creative editing options, like varying playback speed and ‘ghosting’, which enables users to create more seamless scene transitions.

This new update is still not available in India but soon it will be launch in some of the countries. This feature is only available in Brazil, so it may take some more time in some of the countries.

AR Filters

As we all know AR Means Augmented Reality. Instagram has made it open for the public to get this filter looks original on their photos. This feature is already hugely popular all around the world. According to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, billions of people have experienced this and have created AR studio so far.

Tips for marketers:

1. Firstly it helps customers to try before they buy: Create an AR filter allowing them to try on your product like lipsticks, Shoes, Sunglasses etc.
2. Allow your customers to share content around an event by creating a custom AR filter.
3. Create a filter for a new product release to encourage noise around your brand and drive engagement.
4. Use a custom filter to support a cause or a brand fundraiser.

Shoppable Tags in stories

Instagram is a huge platform that allows you to sold items and helps do shopping online buy posting pictures of the product and influence them to expand their business. There are many social media Influencers that help to promote brands, products, software, etc.

How to use Shoppable Tags on Instagram Stories (if you’re an influencer)

1. The first thing you need is a verified profile for an influencer with 10 thousand + followers.
2. If you fulfil this condition, you can automatically see a link icon at the top of your screen when you post a story.
3. You are all set to share the story and promote your products.
4. The “See More” function should now be visible on your Story.

Tips for marketers

1. Collaborate with influencers and content creators who are a good fit with your brand image and positioning. Who can influence very easily buy providing and sharing your content on their page.
2. Use Talented and Famous influencer who can express your product well with better fan following and better engagements.
3. Keep your product titles short but sweet, since you have limited space on the tag itself. Use catchy or intriguing names to grasp the attention of the buyers.
4. Since product prices can make an impact on shoppable tags, make use of pricing psychology to make your price labels more attractive (i.e. ending prices in .99)
5. Make sure the product gets proper impact and the products need to look good in the image which attracts the buyer’s attention.

In conclusion, sharing content on Instagram is the most important aspect to grow organically. Above all, one important thing to share is Memes which we all share and laugh. It has become an important part of our life so keep sharing and keep caring.

KEEP SHARING LOVE, STORIES & MEMES. BE SAFE. STAY HOME