Instagram Tests New "Lately" Highlights for Recent Stories on User Profiles
Have you noticed how social platforms are moving more towards entertainment and less about being "social"? Well, even with that shift, keeping us engaged is still super important for them to make their apps stickier.
That's why Instagram is always on the hunt for ways to boost the areas where we're most active, like DMs, Reels, and Stories.
Check this out – Instagram's latest experiment is all about Stories.
As seen in this example shared by app researcher Hammod Oh and Matt Navarra, Instagram is testing a new feature called "Lately" for Stories. This feature automatically creates a highlight feed on your profile showcasing your most recent Stories activity.
Basically, "Lately" extends the life of your Stories beyond the usual 24 hours. It also gives your profile visitors a better idea of the kind of content you post in your Stories feed.
Why is this a big deal? Well, while posting on the main IG feed is dropping, Stories are still going strong. More people are engaging in these less permanent, more private ways.
IG chief Adam Mosseri even mentioned in 2022 that friends are posting more to Stories and sending more DMs than they are to the main Feed.
Instagram has been focusing on these deeper connections by adding things like Notes and Channels for close friends, trying to keep that personal touch alive while shifting towards more video content.
Meta recently pointed out that 50% of what we see in our IG feeds now comes from AI recommendations, mostly showcasing Reels. This keeps us hooked, but without the personal connections, Meta's apps lose a bit of their unique charm.
So, Instagram keeps testing and refining features to keep us connected and entertained. Stay tuned for more updates!
Hey there I’m Kylie Simao, owner of a boutique social media marketing agency dedicated to helping new, local and small businesses who want to promote themselves online using social media.