What Are Instagram Highlights? Complete Guide

Quick Answer

Instagram Highlights are curated collections of Instagram Stories saved permanently on your profile. Located below your bio, they allow you to showcase important content beyond the 24-hour story limit, organized by themes or categories with custom covers.

What Are Instagram Highlights?

Instagram Highlights are permanent story collections displayed on your profile as circular icons below your bio section. Unlike regular stories that disappear after 24 hours, highlights remain visible until you delete them.

Key Features

• Permanent visibility on your profile
• Customizable covers and names
• Unlimited highlights per account
• 100 stories maximum per highlight
• Viewable by anyone who can see your profile

Why Instagram Highlights Matter

For Personal Accounts

• Showcase important life moments
• Create themed collections
• Express personality and interests
• Save favorite memories
• Share evergreen content

For Business Accounts

• Display products/services
• Share testimonials
• Provide FAQs
• Showcase company culture
• Offer tutorials
• Promote events

How to Create Instagram Highlights

Method 1: From Active Stories

1. Open your current story
2. Tap the heart icon labeled "Highlight"
3. Choose "New" or select existing highlight
4. Name your highlight (15 characters max)
5. Tap "Add" or "Done"

Method 2: From Archive

1. Go to your profile
2. Tap the "+" in highlights section
3. Select stories from archive
4. Choose cover and name
5. Tap "Add" to create

Method 3: From Profile

1. Long-press "New" highlight circle
2. Select archived stories
3. Customize cover and title
4. Confirm creation

Customizing Highlight Covers

Design Options

• Story frame: Use any frame from selected stories
• Camera roll: Upload custom designed covers
• Branded icons: Create consistent brand aesthetics
• Text covers: Simple text-based designs
• Color themes: Match brand colors

Cover Design Tips

1. Maintain consistent style
2. Use high-contrast images
3. Keep designs simple
4. Match brand guidelines
5. Use readable fonts

Instagram Highlights Best Practices

Content Organization

• About Me/Us: Company or personal introduction
• Products: Showcase offerings
• Reviews: Customer testimonials
• FAQ: Common questions
• Tutorials: How-to content
• Events: Past and upcoming
• Behind the Scenes: Authentic content

Naming Strategy

• Keep names short (15 character limit)
• Use emojis strategically
• Be descriptive
• Maintain consistency
• Consider SEO keywords

Business Strategies for Highlights

Sales Funnel Integration

1. Awareness: Brand story highlights
2. Interest: Product demonstrations
3. Consideration: Customer reviews
4. Purchase: Offers and links
5. Retention: Tips and support

Content Categories for Business

Can You See Who Views Your Highlights?

Viewing Insights

• Within 24 hours: See viewers like regular stories
• After 24 hours: Cannot see individual viewers
• Business accounts: Access aggregate metrics
• View count: Not displayed publicly

Analytics Available

• Total interactions
• Profile visits from highlights
• Website clicks
• Overall reach

Creative Highlight Ideas

Personal Accounts

1. Travel Diary: Destinations by location
2. Recipes: Organized by meal type
3. Fitness Journey: Progress and workouts
4. Hobbies: Different interests
5. Pets: Animal content
6. Daily Outfits: Fashion inspiration

Business Accounts

1. Shop: Product categories
2. New Arrivals: Latest offerings
3. Sales: Current promotions
4. How-To: Tutorial series
5. Press: Media mentions
6. Careers: Job opportunities

Managing and Editing Highlights

Edit Existing Highlights

1. Long-press the highlight
2. Select "Edit Highlight"
3. Add/remove stories
4. Change cover or name
5. Save changes

Reorder Highlights

• Press and hold highlight
• Drag to new position
• Release to set placement

Delete Highlights

1. Long-press highlight
2. Select "Delete Highlight"
3. Confirm deletion

Highlight Cover Templates

Design Specifications

• Aspect ratio: 9:16 (1080x1920 pixels)
• Safe zone: Center circle area
• File format: JPG or PNG
• Color mode: RGB
• Resolution: 72 DPI minimum

Design Tools

• Canva
• Adobe Spark
• Unfold
• StoryArt
• Over
• VSCO

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overcrowding: Too many highlights confuse visitors
2. Inconsistent aesthetics: Mismatched covers
3. Outdated content: Not updating regularly
4. Poor organization: Random story placement
5. Long names: Truncated titles
6. Low-quality covers: Pixelated images

Advanced Highlight Strategies

Storytelling Sequence

Create highlights that tell a story when viewed in order:

1. Beginning (Introduction)
2. Middle (Development)
3. End (Call-to-action)

Seasonal Highlights

• Rotate content by season
• Create holiday-specific highlights
• Archive off-season content
• Plan annual highlight calendar

Interactive Highlights

• Polls and questions
• Quiz results
• User-generated content
• Contest entries
• Q&A sessions

Highlights vs. Regular Stories

Measuring Highlight Performance

Key Metrics

• Tap forwards: Story progression
• Tap backs: Re-watching
• Exits: Where viewers leave
• Replies: Engagement level
• Link clicks: Conversion tracking

Optimization Tips

1. Analyze drop-off points
2. Test different covers
3. Rearrange story order
4. Update content regularly
5. A/B test names

Privacy Settings for Highlights

Visibility Options

• Public accounts: Anyone can view
• Private accounts: Only followers
• Close friends: Selected stories only
• Hidden stories: Exclude specific users

Managing Access

1. Go to Settings → Privacy
2. Select Story controls
3. Adjust hide story settings
4. Manage close friends list

Future of Instagram Highlights

Upcoming Features

• Enhanced analytics
• Shopping integration
• AR effects in highlights
• Collaborative highlights
• Advanced customization

Conclusion

Instagram Highlights are powerful tools for showcasing your best content permanently. Whether building a personal brand or growing a business, strategic use of highlights can improve your Instagram presence and engagement.

Related Resources

• Instagram Marketing Tips
• Social Media Strategy
• Content Planning
• Free Instagram Tools