Table of Contents

Did Instagram Remove Highlights? Unveiling the Truth Behind the Buzz

No, Instagram has not removed the Highlights feature. It remains a core part of the platform, allowing users to showcase their favorite stories beyond the standard 24-hour lifespan. However, users sometimes experience difficulties accessing or viewing highlights, leading to the misconception that the feature has been removed. Let’s dive deeper into common issues and how to troubleshoot them.

Understanding Instagram Highlights: A Powerful Tool for Expression

Instagram Highlights, introduced in 2017, are curated collections of your Instagram Stories that live permanently on your profile, right below your bio. They offer a fantastic way to:

Showcase your personality and brand: Think of them as mini-portfolios or curated collections of your best content.
Organize content by topic: You can create highlights for specific themes like travel, cooking, behind-the-scenes, product demos, or FAQs.
Increase engagement: Highlights are a great way to attract new followers and keep existing ones engaged with your content.
Drive traffic to your website or other platforms: You can include links in your stories that lead to external sites.
Provide quick access to important information: Store essential details like contact information, pricing, or opening hours for easy access.

Because of their usefulness, it’s understandable why concerns arise when users suspect the feature is gone. Rest assured, it isn’t; it’s likely a technical glitch or user error.

Why You Might Think Highlights Disappeared

While the feature remains active, several factors can contribute to the perception that Instagram Highlights have disappeared:

Technical Glitches: Occasionally, temporary bugs within the Instagram app can cause features to malfunction. This is a common occurrence with any software.
Account Privacy Settings: If an account has privacy settings that restrict who can view their content, it will affect highlight visibility.
Archived Stories: If the stories used to create a Highlight have been deleted or not archived correctly, the Highlight will appear empty.
Internet Connection Issues: A poor or unstable internet connection can prevent Highlights from loading properly.
App Updates: Sometimes, significant app updates can temporarily affect feature functionality.
Account Suspension/Deletion: If the account itself has been suspended or deleted, all content, including Highlights, will be inaccessible.

Troubleshooting Common Highlight Issues

Here are some steps you can take if you’re having trouble viewing or accessing your Instagram Highlights:

Check Your Internet Connection: Ensure you have a stable and strong internet connection. Try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
Update the Instagram App: Make sure you’re using the latest version of the Instagram app. Outdated versions can often lead to bugs and compatibility issues.
Clear Cache and Data (Android): Go to your phone’s settings, find the Instagram app, and clear its cache and data. This can resolve various app-related problems. (Note: clearing data will require you to log back in.)
Reinstall the Instagram App: If clearing the cache and data doesn’t work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.
Check Account Privacy Settings: Ensure the account’s privacy settings allow you to view their content. If the account is private and you’re not following them, you won’t be able to see their Highlights.
Restart Your Device: A simple restart can often resolve temporary software glitches.
Check Instagram’s Server Status: Occasionally, Instagram may experience server issues. You can check the status of Instagram on websites like Downdetector.

Optimizing Your Highlights for Maximum Impact

Beyond just having them, optimizing your Instagram Highlights is crucial to attract visitors and convey your brand effectively. Here are some tips for doing just that:

Visually Appealing Covers: Create custom cover images for your Highlights that are consistent with your brand aesthetic. This will make your profile look more professional and inviting. Use tools like Canva for easy design options.
Strategic Naming: Use clear and concise names for your Highlights that accurately reflect the content within. “Travel Diaries,” “Recipe Ideas,” or “Customer Reviews” are good examples.
Content Strategy: Plan the content for each Highlight to ensure it’s relevant, engaging, and provides value to your audience.
Regular Updates: Keep your Highlights fresh by adding new stories regularly.
Utilize Story Stickers: Make your stories more interactive by using stickers like polls, quizzes, and question boxes. Use the quiz sticker or the questions sticker to add more life to your Instagram highlights.
Promote Your Highlights: Let your followers know about your Highlights and encourage them to check them out. You can do this by mentioning them in your posts or stories.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Instagram Highlights

Here are some frequently asked questions about Instagram Highlights, addressing common concerns and providing helpful tips:

1. How do I create an Instagram Highlight?

To create a Highlight, tap the + New button below your profile bio. You’ll then be able to select stories from your archive to add to the Highlight. Give it a title and choose a cover image.

2. Can I add existing stories to a Highlight?

Yes! When creating a new Highlight, Instagram automatically pulls from your archived stories, which can then be curated for your new Highlight.

3. How long do Instagram Highlights last?

Instagram Highlights remain on your profile until you manually remove them. They do not disappear after 24 hours like regular stories.

4. Can I edit a Highlight after creating it?

Yes, you can edit a Highlight at any time. You can add or remove stories, change the title, and update the cover image.

5. Can I see who viewed my Instagram Highlights?

Yes, you can see the viewers for each individual story within a Highlight. However, the list of viewers disappears after 48 hours. You can’t see the total number of unique viewers for the whole highlight.

6. Why can’t I see someone else’s Highlights?

This could be due to several reasons: the account is private and you’re not following them, they’ve blocked you, their account has been suspended or deleted, or there’s a temporary technical issue.

7. How many Highlights can I have on Instagram?

There’s no official limit to the number of Highlights you can have on your profile.

8. Can I download Instagram Highlights?

There is no direct way to download Highlights from Instagram. You can only download the original stories individually if you had saved them before posting. Some third-party apps offer this functionality, but use them with caution as they may violate Instagram’s terms of service.

9. How do I change the cover image of my Instagram Highlight?

Tap and hold on the Highlight you want to edit, then select Edit Highlight. Tap Edit Cover and choose an image from your camera roll or from the stories within the Highlight.

10. Are Instagram Highlights public or private?

Instagram Highlights follow the privacy settings of your account. If your account is public, anyone can view your Highlights. If your account is private, only your followers can see them.

11. Can I rearrange the order of stories within a Highlight?

Yes, the most recently added story appears first. So, to rearrange the order, add the stories in reverse order of how you want them to appear.

12. How do I archive my Instagram stories?

To automatically archive your stories, go to your Instagram settings, then Privacy, then Story. Make sure the Save to Archive toggle is turned on. This ensures you can use them for future highlights.

Conclusion

Instagram Highlights are a powerful tool that remains an integral part of the platform. While technical glitches and privacy settings can sometimes cause confusion, the feature itself is very much alive and well. By understanding common issues, troubleshooting effectively, and optimizing your Highlights for maximum impact, you can leverage them to enhance your profile and engage with your audience in meaningful ways. So, keep creating, keep curating, and keep shining with your Instagram Highlights!