8 Lesser-Known Instagram Features – You Should Be Using
If you want to surprise your audience and engage them better, then you should know about all the latest features and updates of the social media. Lately, Instagram is bringing in lots of new and exciting changes and updates. So let’s know about them and stay on top of our Insta-game.
Here is the list of all 8 things you may not know you could do on Instagram
- Archive your old posts
Instagram has come up with up new Archive feature which allows you to remove some posts you think are outdated for your brand without permanently removing them. In simple words this feature lets you move posts to a private tab from your main profile page. So in the near future if you need that post or content back, just un-archive that post and it will reappear in its original chronological spot.
To archive posts, tap three dots at the top right of the post you want to archive and then select choose Archive.
Similarly to re post any archived post on your profile, tap ‘Show on Profile’.
- Attach UTM links to Instagram Stories
If you are a business with over 10,000 followers, then this feature will interest you. It allows you to add a link to your Instagram Stories. You can send people directly to other pages from Instagram whether it’s a blog post, a campaign, a contest or a YouTube link. UTMs can also be added to your links to monitor your traffic. Users will see a ‘See More’ button at the bottom of the screen, and can tap or swipe up to view the link.
To add links to your story: Click on the chain link in the top right corner of your story >Add the URL >preview the link if you want.
- Save posts to personal tab
Instagram now allows users to save other users’ posts in a personal tab without you taking a screenshot or alerting anyone. More interestingly, you can also organize these albums by names, which can help you in tracking competitors, customer feedbacks, or your favorite clothing brand!
To save a photo tap the bookmark icon on the bottom right of the post you want to save.
- Rearrange your Instagram filters
Do you keep using your favorite Instagram filters repeatedly, then you will love this new update. You can now hide, add, and rearrange your filters as per your liking.
To rearrange your filters: Swipe right on a photo or video till you reach ‘Manage’ > tap and hold the filter, then drag and drop into new spot to rearrange.
- Re-post your live videos in Stories
Now you can post your live Instagram video, in your Stories too for 24 hours. Before this update, live videos disappeared when the live stream ended. Repost your video and you will not lose views, comments, and likes from your live video.
To replay your live videos: Record a live video > when you finish Broadcasting, click share at the bottom of the screen.
- Reach new and relevant audiences using new location and hashtag Stories
Instagram’s new location and hashtag Stories can be used to widen your reach and find new fans. You can now add a clickable location sticker to your story. Users can search and view public stories in any geographic location. This feature makes it very easy for potential customers to find your business, follow your brand during an event, or enter a contest.
To use location and hashtag Stories: Begin your story >Click on the stickers’ icon >Select the location sticker > type in your location or choose from drop-down list> Post your story
- Enable Comment block filters
Abusive or offensive comments on a company profile can be very damaging to a brand. To avoid this, use the automatic or manual Instagram’s comment block filter. The automatic filter will rule out and hide comments based on Instagram’s pre-set algorithms, while using the manual filter will be asked to provide exact keywords or phrases that you want to be blocked.
To enable comment block filters: Go to Settings >Scroll down to Comments > for enabling automatic filter, toggle on Hide Offensive Comments > for manual filter, toggle on Enable Keyword Filters and type in your keyword list > Click on Done
- Places tab: Get attention of local audience
When you search in the Places tab on Instagram’s Search and Explore page, Instagram will show the nine highest ranking posts in that particular location, followed by the most recent posts in that location in chronological order. This underutilized search feature can help you gauge what is happening in your local area and get ideas for your own location-based posts.
To search Places: Click the magnifying glass icon on your profile > tap on search box > tap on Search tab > search for any location> select your desired location.
We hope these new tricks in your social strategy can help you better engage your audience and gain new followers.
