Instagram Highlights are a fantastic way to showcase your favorite stories permanently on your profile, letting visitors see key moments even after the original 24-hour lifespan. Whether you’re new to Instagram or looking to update your existing Highlights with current and archived stories, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process. Remember, before you start, ensure your Instagram app is updated to the latest version for the best experience.
What You’ll Need
- An active Instagram account
- Access to your Instagram profile
- Stories you want to add (current or archived)
- An internet connection
Step-by-Step
- Open the Instagram app on your device and log into your account.
- Navigate to your profile by tapping your profile picture icon in the bottom right corner.
- To add a new Highlight, tap the ‘+’ icon labeled ‘New’ beneath your bio and profile picture. If you want to add to an existing Highlight, tap on that Highlight instead.
- If creating a new Highlight, choose a cover image by selecting a story thumbnail or uploading a custom image. Then tap ‘Next.’
- To add current stories, tap ‘Stories’ at the top of the screen to see your live stories. Select the stories you want to include in this Highlight by tapping on them.
- For archived stories, tap the ‘Archive’ icon (clock symbol) in the top right corner. Ensure your archive is turned on in your settings (Settings > Privacy > Story > Save to Archive). Browse through your archived stories and select the ones you want to add.
- After selecting the stories, tap ‘Next’ or ‘Done’ to proceed.
- Review your selected stories and make any adjustments. You can also change the cover image here if desired.
- Finally, tap ‘Add’ or ‘Share’ to create your Highlight. Your stories will now be visible on your profile under the new or updated Highlight.
- To add more stories later, simply repeat the process: go to your profile, select the Highlight, tap ‘Edit Highlight,’ and add additional stories from your archive or current stories.
Common Mistakes
- Not turning on story archive: If your stories are not saved to archive, you won’t be able to add past stories to Highlights. Ensure this feature is enabled in your settings.
- Adding stories that are not public: If your account is private, only approved followers can view your Highlights.
- Choosing a confusing cover image: Select a clear, representative cover to make your Highlights attractive and easy to identify.
- Overloading Highlights: Keep each Highlight focused to avoid clutter and make it easier for viewers to find what they want.
Tips
- Regularly update your Highlights to keep your profile fresh and engaging.
- Use custom cover images to match your profile aesthetic or theme.
- Organize your Highlights into categories for better navigation (e.g., Travel, Food, Events).
- Highlight the best moments by selecting stories with high engagement or significance.
- Remove outdated or less relevant stories from Highlights to keep them current.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues when adding stories to Highlights, try the following steps:
- Ensure your app is updated: Outdated versions may have bugs that prevent saving or editing Highlights. Update via the app store.
- Check your archive settings: Make sure the ‘Save to Archive’ option is enabled in Settings > Privacy > Story.
- Restart the app: Sometimes, simply closing and reopening Instagram can resolve temporary glitches.
- Clear cache or reinstall the app: If problems persist, clearing cache or reinstalling can fix corruption issues.
- Verify your internet connection: A weak or unstable connection may prevent changes from saving properly.
If none of these solutions work, contact Instagram support for further assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I add stories to Highlights after they expire?
Yes, if your stories are saved in your archive, you can add them to Highlights even after they expire from your active stories.
2. How do I change the cover image of an existing Highlight?
Go to your profile, tap the Highlight, then select ‘Edit Highlight.’ Tap ‘Edit Cover’ and choose a new image from your stories or upload a custom cover.
3. Will adding stories to Highlights make them visible to my followers?
Yes, Highlights are publicly visible on your profile, so anyone who visits your profile can see the stories you’ve added.
4. Is there a limit to how many Highlights I can have?
Instagram allows up to 100 Highlights per profile, so you can organize a substantial amount of content without issue.
5. Can I add stories from other accounts to my Highlights?
No, you can only add your own stories to Highlights. Stories from other accounts can be shared via direct message or reposted with permission.
6. How do I delete a story from a Highlight?
Open the Highlight, tap ‘Edit Highlight,’ then deselect the story you want to remove, and save the changes.
Related
- How to Add Accent Letters in Microsoft Word and Outlook
- How to Add a YouTube Video to Your Wikispaces Wiki
- How to Add a Zoom Link to an Outlook Calendar Event