Buckle up, marketers, we’ve got some Instagram new features to talk about! Today, we’re going to be talking about what new changes you should expect, how you can use them to your advantage, and how your social media presence might change in this brave, new world. So without further ado, let’s get dive in.
How Stories Are Changing
Stories keep evolving, and these Instagram latest updates add even more ways to connect with your audience.
Comments on Stories
With Comments on Stories, users can now publicly comment on your Story posts, creating a real-time feedback loop. This opens up space for conversation and helps you get instant insights from followers, and can work wonders for your engagement rate. Also, remember to use Instagram’s comment filters to keep discussions positive.
Reveal Sticker
The Reveal Sticker lets you blur Story content until viewers interact, either by tapping or DMing. Use this to create suspense around product launches or sneak peeks, driving more direct engagement. You can also integrate with ManyChat to automate DMs from followers who tap the sticker, allowing you to nurture leads automatically. After all, stickers are another time tested way to boost engagement from followers.
New Fonts and Stickers
Fresh fonts and music-enabled “Add Yours” stickers make Stories more interactive. Invite followers to share songs with your brand, creating playlists that vibe with your community. These updates make Instagram Stories a more powerful tool for engagement—use them to stand out and spark real interactions.
Thinking of expanding your social media presence? We’ve got a blog post all about the top 5 platforms YOU should be on.
Updates to the Feed
Extended Carousel Posts
With the ability to include up to 20 slides, carousel posts now support deeper storytelling and product showcases. Use this feature for mini-tutorials, testimonials, or before-and-after transformations to keep viewers swiping. Studies show that carousel posts outperform images and video posts every single time, so this is a powerful new tool at your disposal.
In-App Text Overlay
Now, you can add text overlays and custom stickers right in Instagram, streamlining on-the-go content creation. It’s perfect for adding quick captions or making carousel posts with text—no extra apps needed.
Polls and Prompts
Add polls and prompts to your posts to boost interaction and gain insights from followers. Pinning polls can help drive immediate engagement, since interactive content can give you a 52% more engagement than static content!
Product and Broadcast Tags
Enhance shopping experiences with product tags and attract followers to your Broadcast Channel with the new tag options, all from the feed.
This Instagram update brings you closer to creating high-engagement posts—perfect for direct sales, audience interaction, and in-depth storytelling.
Reels Get an Upgrade
Multiple Audio Tracks
This is one of those new Instagram features that allow creators to add up to 20 audio tracks per Reel, making it possible to layer sound effects, music, and voiceovers. This lets you create dynamic and professional Reels entirely within the app. We all know how important it is to incorporate trending tracks into your Reels - this way you get to add multiple layers to make sure you stay relevant.
Enhanced Editing Tools
With undo/redo buttons, clip splitting, and the ability to replace frames, Instagram’s editing tools streamline the process. You can now edit after posting, change cover images, and even save Reels as drafts for easy adjustments.
Multiple Collaborators
Up to five collaborators can now join a single Reel, expanding cross-promotion opportunities. These updates make creating high-quality, engaging Reels simpler than ever without leaving Instagram.
If you’re looking for cross-promotion opportunities, micro-influencers are the way to go. Check out our blog post to find out why!
Instagram Updates for Live Video
Desktop Live Streaming
One of the standout Instagram changes is the ability to go live from your desktop using Instagram Studio, giving you access to more professional setups. This feature is perfect for hosting high-quality live sessions like Q&As, webinars, or product launches, enhancing your viewer’s experience.
Live in Broadcast Channels
Broadcast channels now allow creators with 10,000+ followers to go live exclusively for subscribers, similar to a private in-app newsletter. Use this feature to build exclusivity with intimate Q&As or exclusive product reveals, strengthening connections with your top followers and boosting channel subscriptions. The social media subscription market grew by 24% this year, so you should strike while the iron’s hot.
New AI Tools for Instagram
One major Instagram update for 2025 is Meta AI—a powerful conversational assistant built right into the app. With Meta AI, marketers can streamline everything from hashtag research to content ideas without leaving the platform. Just head to the Explore page, look for the search icon with a purple and blue ring, and start asking questions.
But that’s not all. Some accounts now have access to custom AI chatbots, allowing brands to create AI personas to handle FAQs or interact with followers. And with Meta’s upcoming AI Studio, brands can customize AI interactions even further, making it easier to engage audiences at scale.
Want to Master Instagram But Don’t Know How? CDP’s Got Your Back
Navigating Instagram’s latest updates can be challenging, but with Content Development Pros’ 15 years of social media expertise, we make it easy for brands to thrive on any new feature or trend. From mastering Reels and Stories to leveraging the power of AI tools, our proven strategies have driven growth and engagement for thousands of clients.
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