Get the latest news and actionable tips for using Instagram to boost your social media marketing strategy on the most popular photo- and video-sharing network.

Instagram Lets Users Send GIFs in Direct Messages
For the first time, Instagram is letting users send GIFs via direct messages.

Instagram Introduces Shopping in Stories, New Shopping Section in Explore
Instagram is expanding shopping capabilities, giving more businesses access to Shopping in Stories, and testing a Shopping Channel in Explore.

Instagram Adds Personalized Emoji Shortcuts for Quick Comments
Instagram has introduced personalized emoji shortcuts, which show up above the keyboard when leaving a comment.

Instagram is Working on its Own Shopping App
Instagram is reportedly building a new app exclusively for shopping.

Instagram Lets Users Apply to Become Verified
Instagram has simplified the verification process, adding a form to the app that lets users easily apply to become verified.

Instagram to Display Recommended Posts in Users Feeds
Instagram announced it will begin displaying recommended posts in users feeds from accounts they don’t already follow.

Instagram Shows Users When Friends Are Online
With a recent update to Instagram, the app will now show users when people they’ve direct messaged are online.

Instagram Tests Ability to Limit Story Views to Specific Friends
Instagram is testing a feature called “Friend List Stickers,” which lets users publish stories that are visible to specific friends.

Instagram Has 1 Billion Monthly Users, Now the Fastest Growing Social Network
Instagram revealed that it now has 1 billion monthly active users, up from the 800 million reported in September 2017.

Instagram Decides Not to Alert Users When Screenshots Are Taken
Instagram confirmed it has decided against the idea of alerting users when a screenshot is taken of their story.

Instagram Lets Brands Sell Products in Stories
Instagram is giving brands the ability to link to products in stories with new shopping stickers.

Instagram Lets Users Reshare Stories They’ve Been Mentioned In
In the latest update to Instagram users can share stories to their own story when they’ve been mentioned by others.

Instagram May Let Users Post Hour-Long Videos
Instagram is reportedly preparing to launch a feature that will allow users to publish long-form video content.

Instagram Lets Users Re-Share Posts in Stories
Instagram recently rolled out the ability for users to re-share posts from other accounts in their Instagram Stories.

Instagram Lets Users ‘Mute’ Other Accounts
Instagram is introducing a way for users to hide posts and stories in their feed without actually unfollowing other accounts.

A Hidden Instagram Feature Shows Users Time Spent in the App
Instagram is testing a hidden “Usage Insights” feature, which shows users how much time they spend in the app.

Instagram’s New Emoji Sliders Can Gauge Your Audience’s Opinion on Topics
Instagram has a new feature that lets users give opinions on various topics by moving an emoji along a scale.

Instagram to Automatically Filter Threatening Comments
Instagram is expanding its offensive comment filter, introduced last year, to include comments aimed at bullying others.

Instagram is Testing Slo-Mo Videos, a Mute Button, More
Instagram appears to be testing several new features, which have been uncovered by digging through the app’s code.

Instagram Lets Users Upload Multiple Photos and Videos to Stories
Instagram rolled out an update allowing users to upload multiple photos and videos to their stories at the same time.

Instagram Lets Users Export Everything They’ve Shared
Instagram now has a tool that will users download a copy of everything they’ve shared to the network.

Instagram Makes it Easy to Follow People by Scanning ‘Nametags’
Instagram is reportedly in the process of rolling out a new feature which is similar to Snapchat’s QR codes.

Instagram to Let Users Save Their Data
Instagram is in the process of building a tool that will allow users to export their data.

Instagram Has a New ‘Focus’ Mode for Sharper Selfies and Portraits
Instagram has a new portrait effect that can be added to photos and videos in stories.

Third-party Instagram Apps Are Broken as Company Reportedly Limits API Access
Third-party Instagram apps are breaking as multiple outlets report the company is limiting access to API data.

Instagram Brings Back GIFs in Stories
After being removed earlier this month, Instagram has brought back the ability to use GIF stickers in stories.

Instagram Introduces Full Screen Support for Ads in Stories
Instagram is making it easier for businesses to create full ads that can be used in Stories.

Instagram to Show More Recent Posts First
Instagram is moving away from its algorithmic feed and will start showing newer posts near the top.

Instagram Adds Support for Hashtags & Profile Links in Bios
Instagram is now letting users insert links to hashtags and other profiles in their bio.

Instagram is Showing Users When a Screenshot of Their Story is Taken
Instagram is now letting users know when someone has taken a screenshot or screen recording of their story.
