How to Add to a Highlight on Instagram: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’ve already mastered the ephemeral art of Instagram Stories and now you want to curate your best moments into captivating Highlights. Excellent choice! Highlights are like mini-time capsules, allowing your audience to revisit your personality, expertise, and offerings long after the initial 24-hour Story window has closed. Adding to them is simple, but mastering the nuances can significantly boost engagement. Let’s dive in!

The core question: How do you add to a Highlight on Instagram? It’s a straightforward process achievable in two primary ways: directly from an active Story or from your profile page via your existing Highlights.

• Adding from an Active Story: After posting a Story, simply tap the “Highlight” button at the bottom of the screen. You’ll then be presented with a list of your existing Highlights. Select the Highlight you want to add the Story to. You can also create a new Highlight directly from this screen.

• Adding Through Your Profile: Navigate to your profile. Below your bio, you’ll see your existing Highlights. Long-press on the Highlight you wish to add to. A menu will appear; select “Edit Highlight“. From there, go to the “Stories” tab. You’ll see an archive of all your past Stories. Select the Stories you want to include and tap “Done” (or “Add“).

And there you have it! You’ve successfully enriched your Highlight with new content. Now, let’s delve into some frequently asked questions to further refine your Highlight mastery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Instagram Highlights

How many Stories can I add to a Highlight?

Instagram doesn’t enforce a hard limit on the number of Stories you can add to a Highlight, but performance considerations come into play. A Highlight containing hundreds (or thousands!) of Stories might take longer to load, potentially frustrating viewers. Keep your Highlights focused and relevant. Consider breaking down massive topics into smaller, more digestible Highlights.

Can I rearrange the order of Stories within a Highlight?

Yes, you absolutely can! Here’s how: Edit the Highlight (long-press and select “Edit Highlight“). In the “Stories” tab, the Stories are arranged in the order they were initially added. The most recently added Story will appear first. To change the order, remove Stories and re-add them in the sequence you desire. It’s a bit clunky, but effective. A feature allowing direct drag-and-drop reordering is a highly requested feature by users and could be included in future app updates.

Can I add photos and videos from my camera roll directly to a Highlight without posting them to my Story first?

Unfortunately, no. Instagram Highlights are designed to archive and curate your existing Stories. To add content from your camera roll to a Highlight, you must post it to your Story first. This is part of Instagram’s core design of its Stories feature and its relationship with Highlights.

How do I change the cover of my Highlight?

This is crucial for visual appeal! Edit the Highlight. In the “Edit Highlight” section, tap “Edit Cover“. You’ll be presented with two options: Select a frame from within the existing Stories in the Highlight, or upload an image directly from your camera roll (look for the small image icon). Choosing a custom cover can drastically improve the aesthetics of your profile and reinforce your branding. High-quality, consistent covers are key.

How do I delete a Story from a Highlight?

Easy peasy. Edit the Highlight. Go to the “Stories” tab. Simply tap the checkmark next to the Story you wish to remove. The checkmark will disappear, indicating that the Story has been deselected. Tap “Done,” and the Story will be removed from the Highlight.

Can I see who viewed my Highlights?

Yes, but with limitations. When you view your Highlight, you’ll see a list of viewers for each individual Story within the Highlight for the first 48 hours after it was originally posted to your Story. After that 48-hour window, the individual view counts disappear. You will not be able to see how many total users saw the Highlight beyond this initial period.

Can I create a Highlight from old Stories that have already disappeared?

Yes, indeed! Instagram automatically archives your Stories (unless you’ve disabled this feature). To access your archive, go to your profile, tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner (the “hamburger menu”), and select “Archive“. From there, you can select Stories from your archive and add them to existing or new Highlights. The Story Archive is a goldmine for content re-purposing.

What happens if I delete a Story from my archive? Will it disappear from the Highlight?

Yes. If you delete a Story from your archive, it will also be removed from any Highlights it was included in. Deleting a Story from the archive is permanent and irreversible (unless you have an external backup). Proceed with caution.

Can I download a Highlight?

Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t offer a native feature to download an entire Highlight in one go. However, you can download individual Stories from within the Highlight while you are editing the Highlight. Open the Story and you should be able to see the “More” three-dot icon. When you press the icon, the option to save the Story will appear. There are also third-party apps and browser extensions that claim to offer Highlight download functionality, but use them at your own risk, as they may violate Instagram’s terms of service or pose security risks.

How many Highlights can I have on my profile?

Instagram allows you to have an unlimited number of Highlights on your profile. However, keep in mind that a cluttered profile can be overwhelming. Strategically organize your Highlights into clear and concise categories.

Can I share someone else’s Story to my own Highlight?

No, you can’t directly add someone else’s Story to your Highlight. Highlights are designed to showcase your own content. However, if someone mentions you in their Story, you can re-share it to your own Story (provided their account is public or you follow them). From there, you can then add it to your Highlight.

What are some best practices for using Instagram Highlights for business?

For businesses, Highlights are a powerful tool for showcasing your brand and offerings. Here are a few tips:

• Create specific categories: Use Highlights to organize your content into easily digestible categories, such as “Products,” “Services,” “Behind the Scenes,” “Customer Testimonials,” “FAQ,” and “Promotions.”

• Use branded cover images: Ensure your Highlight covers are visually consistent with your brand’s aesthetic.

• Keep your Highlights updated: Regularly add new and relevant content to keep your Highlights fresh and engaging.

• Use Highlights to drive traffic: Include call-to-actions within your Stories (such as “Swipe Up” links – if you have the swipe up feature available – or prompts to visit your website) and add those Stories to your Highlights.

• Analyze your Highlight performance: Pay attention to which Highlights are receiving the most views and engagement, and adjust your content strategy accordingly.

By understanding the nuances of Instagram Highlights and applying these best practices, you can transform your profile into a captivating showcase of your personal brand or business. Use them strategically, creatively, and consistently to connect with your audience on a deeper level and leave a lasting impression.