Our Favorite Instagram Updates of 2018
September 5, 2018
Uncategorized
Mobile
Marketing
Social Media
Instagram has been rolling out with new features every week! Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but it definitely feels like they have! So after some reflection, we decided to dedicate a whole blog post to a few of our favorite Instagram updates of 2018!
Instagram’s New Safety Tools
Instagram has announced they are going to implement three new tools (in the very near future) to help keep its online community safer. “About This Account” will allow users to see more information on other accounts with large followings. To access, all you have to do is tap the menu and click “About This Account.” This new feature will provide information on when the account joined Instagram, accounts with the same followers, country the account is located in, any username changes in the last year and any ads the account is running. Instagram has also announced they are increasing the access to verifying accounts. Now, you can request to become a verified account. To submit your account for consideration, go to “Settings” and then click “Request Verification” to provide your business name and information. The final announcement made by Instagram is their support for third-party authenticator apps. According to Instagram “this form of two-factor authentication makes it easier and safer for you to securely log into Instagram.” Basically, we are excited about anything that will help make accounts online more transparent and can’t wait for these tools to be available globally!
Screen-Time Management Dashboard
Instagram (along with Facebook) will have a setting feature that shows you just how much time you spend on the platform. The dashboard breaks down usage by daily and average minute counts. You can also set a daily “limit” for time spent on the app. Once you’ve reached your total allotted minutes, Instagram sends you a notification. As of now, the dashboard only allows you to track time spent on the mobile app on that device.
Instagram Explore Page Update
The new format of the Explore page allows the user to have a little more control over the content they are viewing. Along with viewing popular Instagram posts based on your likes, you can now view content oriented around a certain category. This is done through the “channels” feature. From a business standpoint, this new organization feature will make business accounts easier to find for the average consumer.
IGTV
Unlike regular Instagram videos, IGTV videos are not limited to one minute but can be as long as 1 hour of content. The videos are also tailored to one’s iPhone, so we’re talking vertical and full screen. You can access IGTV through the app or at the IGTV button at the top of your Instagram.
Instagram’s Co-Founder & CEO, Kevin Spade shared the following about the new feature:
“We’ve made it simple, too. Just like turning on the TV, IGTV starts playing as soon as you open the app. You don’t have to search to start watching content from people you already follow on Instagram and others you might like based on your interests. You can swipe up to discover more — switch between ‘For You’, ‘Following’, ‘Popular’ and ‘Continue Watching’.You can also like, comment and send videos to friends in Direct.
Also like TV, IGTV has channels. But, in IGTV, the creators are the channels. When you follow a creator on Instagram, their IGTV channel will show up for you to watch. Anyone can be a creator — you can upload your own IGTV videos in the app or on the web to start your own channel.”
We’re thinking IGTV is going to give Youtube a run for its money, so we’ll just sit back and see how this plays out.
Instagram Stories
Share songs from Spotify
Want to educate your Instagram followers on good music? Now you can and you no longer have to screenshot the song you are listening to! Instagram allows you to link up with your Spotify account, so you can now share that song you’ve been listening to nonstop! When the song is shared on your story through Spotify, the app will provide custom cover art stickers and a link under your name for followers to listen in the Spotify app!
Repost Stories
If you post it (and mention them), they can share it! Posts that are shared to your story from another will display the original poster’s username. This allows followers to see where the original content is from and opens up a lot of possibilities for business accounts to cross-promote their posts!
Direct Link to Posts in Stories
A lot of the time, followers miss the photos you post (especially with Instagram’s new algorithm). Sharing your post to your Instagram Story is a great way to help them reach your audience. Tap on direct message icon under the photo you want to share. Select add a post to your story. Your post will automatically open in Instagram stories. Then you’ll be able to play around with the format in stories.
Emoji- Slider Polls
Now you can poll to see HOW MUCH followers like or dislike something. The Emoji- Slider works similar to a poll, except users just drag the selected emoji to the left or right depending on their opinion. This is another GREAT feature to help increase engagement with your following.
Comment below with your favorite updates!
