How to Add Instagram Highlight Covers: The Definitive Guide

So, you want to level up your Instagram game? Highlight covers are the secret weapon. They’re not just pretty; they’re a potent branding tool that transforms a jumbled mess of saved stories into a visually appealing and user-friendly experience. This guide will give you everything you need to know to create and add Instagram highlight covers like a pro.

The Quick & Dirty: Adding Those Covers!

Here’s the straight dope: adding highlight covers is simple, but understanding the why and how of each step is crucial. There are two main methods: adding a cover before the highlight is created and editing an existing highlight.

Method 1: Before Creating the Highlight (Ideal for New Highlights)

1. Navigate to your Profile: Head to your Instagram profile by tapping your profile picture icon in the bottom right corner.

2. Tap the “+” Symbol: Under your bio, you’ll see a “+” symbol labeled “New” above the Story Highlights section. Tap it.

3. Select Stories: Choose the stories you want to include in this highlight. These are the stories that will be visible when someone clicks on your highlight.

4. Name Your Highlight: Give your highlight a descriptive name. Keep it short and sweet – think keywords that represent the content within.

5. Edit Cover: This is where the magic happens. Before tapping “Add,” tap the “Edit Cover” option.

6. Choose Your Cover Image: You’ll have two choices:

   • Pick from Story: Instagram will suggest frames from the stories you selected. This is great if you used a pre-designed graphic as part of your story.
   • Upload Photo: The preferred method for a cohesive look! Tap the gallery icon (usually a small picture icon) to upload a cover image from your phone’s camera roll. This is where those beautifully designed highlight covers come into play.

7. Adjust and Resize: Pinch and zoom to perfectly position your cover image within the circle.

8. Tap “Done” (or the Checkmark): Confirm your cover selection.

9. Tap “Add”: Your highlight, complete with its stunning new cover, is now live!

Method 2: Editing an Existing Highlight (Perfect for a Makeover!)

1. Go to your Profile: Again, head to your profile page.

2. Long Press (or Tap and Hold) the Highlight: Locate the highlight you want to edit and tap and hold it.

3. Select “Edit Highlight”: A menu will pop up; choose “Edit Highlight.”

4. Tap “Edit Cover”: Similar to the first method, you’ll find this option near the top.

5. Choose Your Cover Image: As before, you can either select a frame from within your existing stories or upload a photo from your camera roll.

6. Adjust and Resize: Tweak the image to fit the circular frame perfectly.

7. Tap “Done” (or the Checkmark): Save your changes.

8. Tap “Done” (or the Checkmark) Again: Exit the highlight editing screen.

That’s it! You’ve successfully added (or updated) your Instagram highlight cover.

Mastering the Design: Tips for Killer Highlight Covers

While adding the covers is technically easy, creating effective ones takes a little more thought. Here are some pro tips:

• Consistency is King: Choose a cohesive color palette, font, and icon style for all your covers. This reinforces your brand identity.
• Simplicity Rules: Avoid cluttered designs. A clean, minimalist icon or graphic against a solid or gradient background often works best.
• Consider Your Brand: Your highlight covers should reflect your brand’s overall aesthetic. Use colors, fonts, and imagery that are consistent with your website, logo, and other marketing materials.
• Use Icons Effectively: Icons are a great way to quickly convey the topic of each highlight. Make sure the icon is relevant and easily recognizable.
• Pay Attention to Size: Instagram crops highlight covers into a circle, so make sure your design looks good within that shape.
• Test on Different Devices: What looks good on your phone might not look as good on someone else’s. Check your covers on various screen sizes.
• Use Templates: There are tons of free and paid templates available online that can help you create professional-looking highlight covers quickly. Canva is a popular choice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Instagram Highlight Covers

Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about Instagram highlight covers:

1. What size should my Instagram highlight covers be?

The ideal size for Instagram highlight covers is 1080 x 1920 pixels. This ensures they’re high-resolution and look crisp on all devices.

2. Can I use videos as highlight covers?

Unfortunately, no, you cannot directly use videos as highlight covers. However, you could use a still frame from a video as your cover image.

3. How many highlights can I have on Instagram?

You can have an unlimited number of highlights on your Instagram profile.

4. Can I change the order of my highlights?

Yes! The order of your highlights is determined by the order in which you added stories to them. To move a highlight to the front, simply add a new story to that highlight. It will automatically jump to the beginning.

5. Will adding a highlight cover notify my followers?

No, adding or changing a highlight cover will not send a notification to your followers.

6. Where can I find free Instagram highlight cover templates?

Many websites offer free Instagram highlight cover templates, including Canva, Creative Market, and Freepik. A simple Google search will yield many options.

7. How do I remove a highlight cover?

To remove a highlight cover, edit the highlight and choose a frame from within the stories within the highlight itself. You cannot remove the cover entirely.

8. Can I use animated highlight covers?

While you can’t directly upload an animated GIF as a cover, a workaround is to use a short video as a story and then select a frame from that video as your cover. However, the cover itself won’t be animated; only the frame you choose will be visible.

9. Why is my highlight cover blurry?

Blurry highlight covers are usually caused by using low-resolution images. Make sure your images are at least 1080 x 1920 pixels and properly optimized.

10. Can I create highlight covers on my computer?

Absolutely! In fact, designing on a computer often gives you more control and flexibility. You can use graphic design software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Canva to create your covers. Then, transfer them to your phone to upload to Instagram.

11. Do highlight covers improve engagement?

Yes! Well-designed highlight covers make your profile look more professional and organized, encouraging visitors to explore your highlights and learn more about your brand. This can lead to increased engagement and followers.

12. Is it possible to A/B test my highlight covers?

While Instagram doesn’t offer built-in A/B testing for highlight covers, you can manually test different designs by switching them out and monitoring your profile views and engagement to see which covers perform best. Pay attention to how long people spend watching the highlights when different covers are active.

By following these tips and tricks, you can create stunning Instagram highlight covers that not only enhance your profile’s aesthetic but also boost engagement and drive results. Go forth and create!