Since its inception, Instagram has been on a path of growth with rising popularity consistently, be it among users or brands. Many brands globally use Instagram as their primary source of marketing tactics.
The platform itself has evolved continually with better updates, feature advancement, user data privacy & security, expansive integrations to third-party software, progressive user experience, etc.
Here we bring you the important Instagram API changes and product updates that might change how you leverage Instagram for your business, brand promotion, user experience, and much more.
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Major Instagram Updates To Look Out For In 2024!
Introducing Threads: A New Way to Share with Text
Instagram Threads is a new app introduced by Meta, the parent company of Facebook. It resembles Twitter, featuring a feed primarily composed of text-based posts, although users can share photos and videos. The platform enables real-time conversations among users, fostering engagement and interaction.
Messages posted on Threads are limited to 500 characters, aligning with Twitter’s concise format. Users can engage with posts by replying, reposting, and quoting others, mirroring the functionality found on Twitter.
However, Instagram Threads incorporates the familiar aesthetic and navigation system of Instagram, creating a seamless user experience. Users can seamlessly share their Threads posts directly to Instagram Stories, bridging the gap between the two platforms.
Thread accounts on Instagram Threads can be designated as either public or private, giving users control over the visibility of their content. Additionally, verified Instagram accounts automatically receive verification on Threads, ensuring credibility and authenticity.
Introducing Broadcast Channels, a New Way for Creators to Deepen Connections with Followers
In contrast to other means of communication with your audience, such as mass email marketing or even ads, this messaging tool that lets creators talk to many followers simultaneously in a more personal way. They share updates, show behind-the-scenes, and even do polls for feedback.
This will help creators in many ways, such as increased engagement, maximized reach, and even building a better community.
The good thing is that only creators can send messages, but followers can react and vote. To join a channel, followers can click on a link in Stories, the creator’s profile, or a one-time notification.
The channels are public, but they have rules to follow, and if someone breaks them, they can be reported. So, as a creator, you can benefit significantly from this update!
Ads in Search Results:
Meta, the company behind Instagram, is testing a new feature that allows businesses to display ads in the search results on Instagram.
This means that when users actively search for something, such as a specific product or a particular topic, they may see sponsored ads related to their search.
For instance, if you search for “face cream,” you will notice two types of results, just as you get to see on search engines. You will see all the organic posts, and in addition to that, you will notice ads as well and these ads will be labeled with a “Sponsored” tag beneath the account’s name for those who appreciate organic content.
These ads will appear in the Instagram feed that users can scroll through after tapping on a post from the search results. By introducing ads in search results, Meta aims to provide businesses with an additional avenue to reach potential customers actively seeking relevant information.
Once the testing phase is complete, Meta plans to launch these ads globally in the near future.
Reminder Ads:
Instagram is introducing a feature called Reminder Ads, designed to assist businesses in promoting and notifying people about upcoming events or product launches. This feature enables advertisers to create awareness and anticipation among users for these future events.
Users have the option to opt into receiving reminders for these events and will receive three notifications from Instagram.
- The first reminder will be sent one day before the event or launch,
- the second reminder 15 minutes before,
- and the final reminder will be sent at the event’s scheduled time.
This feature aims to make it easier for businesses to communicate important information and updates to their target audience. By sending timely notifications, businesses can increase users’ chances to attend or engage with their events or product launches.
Reminder Ads are now available to all advertisers and can be utilized within the feed, providing businesses with an effective tool to build excitement and generate interest among Instagram users.
Now Scheduled Posts on Instagram
Instagram is very popular among users, with over 1 billion users actively using it daily. If you construct an engaging Instagram bio, the potential to amass a larger follower base from the vast user database significantly increases. However, no matter how fun Instagram is to use, posting manually on Instagram is a time-consuming task, especially if you post multiple times a day.
Keeping this in mind, Instagram launched the “Scheduled Posts” feature! This feature allows you to schedule your content beforehand, saving you time and keeping the profile active. You can schedule a picture, video, carousel, or reel for up to 75 days in advance in the Instagram app.
Here is how:
- Open Advanced settings and then “Schedule this post” to schedule content from the Instagram post composer.
- Tap schedule after you’ve chosen the time and date for the content to go live.
- That’s it, and your content is now ready for publication.
One way to benefit from Instagram scheduling posts is to publish more frequently during peak engagement periods. Determine when your audience is most active and publish content during those times on a regular basis. And once you know the active time of your audience, you can schedule your posts accordingly or you can use an Instagram scheduler.
Note: user needs to have a business account to have access to this option.
Read More – How to Stream Instagram Posts on TV?
Instagram Is Protecting Teens & Supporting Parents Online
Instagram launched a tool dedicated to parents and guardians concerning their teens’ activity time on social media and an educational hub to help them discuss social media use with their teens.
This Instagram update is in the initial stage, but Instagram is planning to expand. The goal is to help the teens and their parents or guardians to communicate better.
Parents and guardians will have access to the amount of time their teens spend on Instagram and set time limits accordingly. This update will help teens notify their parents if they want to report someone. It gives teens a safe space to talk about their concerns more openly.
Here are some key takeaways from this new update:
- This Instagram update will prevent users from tagging or mentioning teens they don’t follow;
- The recommendations in Search, Explore, Hashtags, and Suggested Accounts will be stricter for teens;
- If the teens are too driven toward one topic, Instagram will start introducing them to new topics;
Now Delete A Specific Photo From The Carousel
It has to be the much-awaited feature by Instagram. Users can now edit and delete images in a carousel post. This Instagram update is ideal for users who want to keep the post but want to delete one or two pictures.
Go to the carousel post> Click on the top-right dots icon> Choose Edit> Scroll through the photos to find which one you want to delete> Tap the top-left delete icon
You also get 30-day restore option that you can use just in case you change your mind.
Instagram Badges For Content Creators
Instagram monetizes content creation for Instagram influencers as the eligible users now get to add badges to their live videos. This particular Instagram update is a way for them to earn money with Instagram, as their followers or fans can directly buy badges to support them.
Once the influencer has earned up to 100$, they can easily transfer the amount to their account. Eligible users can find the “turn on” button for the badges in their professional dashboard. If they are not eligible, they can apply by clicking on the “Apply for monetization” button.
A Brand New Way To Collaborate
Instagram unrolls the latest “Collab” option for users to upload a post or reels collaboratively. The Instagram update opens opportunities for content creators to send collaboration invites to other users and create mutual posts or reels.
This collaborative post will be accessible on the feeds of both users. Also, they will share common likes and comments on that post, opening up many collaboration possibilities for content creators.
It opens the door to:
- Creators share their insights & engagement with brands
- Help creators find collaboration partners that resonate with their work & category of content
- Explore similar brands for content creation in collab manager
- Managing partnerships & sourcing new deals
- Insights for brands when they are tagged in the creator’s content
- Creators having access to Instagram Graph API
Create Public Photo Thread On Instagram Stories
While Instagram is all about connecting people creatively, it has come up with the new “Add Yours” sticker in Instagram Stories. Users can now upload a story related to any theme and challenge their followers or other users to add related photos.
A user can tap on the sticker and upload a related photo in their story, making the sticker accessible to their followers. This Instagram Update is ideal for users with public accounts as they get to capture more people. It also allows brands to organize giveaways or photo contests with their customers and encourage them to create user-generated content.
Latest API Changes
As of November 9, 2021- Instagram has updated the API for Live Videos.
The latest API update by Instagram enables users to live stream their videos, including IG media.
Not only that, the latest Messaging API update enables users to fetch all the comments on the videos and send direct messages or private replies to the commenters.
Instagram Web Version
Instagram’s web interface has been updated to make the platform more engaging and visually appealing to users. Although the company’s CEO, Adam Mosseri, previously stated that the Instagram platform will be updated for large-screen devices in 2022.
It has also been stated that iPad users will have a better visual experience when using the Chrome browser. However, the new interface has begun to roll out to users around the world and is currently available to random users in limited regions.
Notably, the new layout of the panel will also include new icons and text, all of which have been designed to make it easier to use and understand the platform’s exact functionalities. The story panel is still on the top row, as it was previously on the platform.
It is important to note that the new interface differs from the app’s UI, and users can access a variety of editing tools and even post stories from the web version. Although my desktop version is currently inaccessible due to information and mass distribution, it is expected to update and work soon.
Meta Announces Paid Verification
To improve the social media app’s security and authenticity, Meta announced the paid version of the blue tick. Any high-profile account will be required to pay $11.99 (for the web) and $14.99 (for iPhone).
Conclusion
Instagram has continuously updated its platform to provide a holistic social media and marketplace experience for users with maximized security & privacy.
Brands have also received platform updates to create better campaigns for enhanced customer engagement and drive conversions with shoppable posts.
It will be interesting to see what more changes Instagram brings & how it takes on the other social media platforms to capture maximum USERS, CONTENT CREATORS, & BRANDS.