Instagram Recap 2024: New Features That Ruled the Gram
Instagram has rolled out some exciting new features in 2024 that have transformed how we create, share, and interact. Let’s do a rewind through 2024 and recap the standout features that kept Instagram buzzing all year long. Here’s a list of all 2024 Instagram features.
Table of Contents
1. Add Song to Your Profile
This Instagram feature allows you to add a song to your profile bio. Music was limited to posts, but now users can select a song’s 30-second segment to showcase in their bio. However, the song won’t autoplay upon opening a profile—you’ll need to tap on it to listen.
Here’s a step-by-step guide onhow to add song tracks to your Instagram profile bio.
2. Assign Custom Nicknames to DMs
Instagram introducedNicknamesto make direct messages (DMs) more personal and fun. This allows you to assign custom nicknames to friends in single and group chats, adding a touch of personality to conversations. Whether it’s for an inside joke or to simplify usernames, nicknames make chats more engaging and easy to organize.
Here’s how you can assignnicknames.
3. 17 New Sticker Packs
Instagram has upgraded stickers with 17 new packs featuring over 300 unique designs. You have more ways to express yourself in DMs now. Whether you want to share a laugh or convey your mood, these quirky and relatable stickers add fun and creativity to conversations.
4. Customizable Digital Profile Cards
Instagram launched customizabledigital profile cards. This allows you to create and share animated, two-sided cards that showcase key details from your profile. That includes your picture, bio, links, music, and a QR code. These virtual business cards can be personalized with a custom background image and shared easily.
To edit and customize, tap onProfile > Share profile > pencil iconto update your details and background.
5. Add Comments to Stories
Instagram introduced anew comments sectionfor Stories, allowing you to publicly comment on posts visible to everyone who views the Story. Previously, interactions were limited to private messages or likes.
However, this feature has some limitations. Only followers you follow back can comment, and you need to enable Story replies in your settings. Comments will disappear after 24 hours unless you save the Story as a highlight on your profile.
6. Post up to 20 Slides
Instagram expanded its carousel feature to allow up to20 frames per post, double the previous limit of 10. This update gives creators and brands the flexibility to showcase a wider range of content like images, videos, or a combination of both in one post.
7. Edit Dms
Another handy feature Instagram introduced in 2024 is the ability to edit DMs. you may edit your messages within 15 minutes of sending them. Whether it’s fixing a typo, adjusting a word choice, or correcting any mistake, you now have the flexibility to make changes to your messages even after they’ve been sent. This gives you more control over your conversations. We have also been there, and done that.
Also, you can checkhow to edit sent messages on Instagram.
8. PIN Chats to the Top
It can be difficult to keep track of conversations with friends if you’re overwhelmed by a flood of messages. Instagram now lets youpin important chatsto the top of your inbox, making it easier to access important chats quickly.
Just like WhatsApp, Instagram now offersread receipts, allowing others to know when you’ve read their message. The new update gives you the option toturn read receipts on or off, either for all chats or for specific ones, giving you more control over your privacy and messaging preferences.
Go toAccount Settings>Messages and story replies>Show read receipts> enableread receiptson or off for all of your chats.
10. New Animated Themes on DMs
You canpersonalize your chatswith a variety of fun themes, setting the perfect mood for any conversation. Whether you’re planning a get-together or having a casual chat with friends, there’s a theme for every vibe.
New options also include some animated themes likeLove,Loops, and more. To change the theme, tapchat nameat the top, go into thetheme settings, and choose yourfavorite theme.
11. Zoom In on Instagram Profiles
Finally, you canview profile pictures in full sizedirectly within the app, eliminating the need for third-party tools. Simply press and hold a user’s profile picture on their profile page to see it in full detail.
12. One-Tap Spotify Integration for Instagram Songs
Here’s how you cansave songs from Instagram to Spotify.
13. Cutout Stickers
Instagram’s newCutouts stickerfeature lets you transform any part of a photo or video into a custom sticker, adding a unique touch to your Stories, Reels, or DMs. Social media managers and casual users alike can use this tool to enhance their posts or campaigns with creative visuals.
Once created, these cutouts are saved in your sticker tray for easy reuse, making it simple to share and personalize everyday moments repeatedly.
To create stickers from photos on Instagram, find a post shared by a public account. Tap thethree dots iconin the top-right corner of the post and selectCreate sticker.
14. Add Multiple Tracks on Reels
Instagram now allows you to include up to20 audio tracksin a single Reel, enhancing creative possibilities. Previously limited to one track, this new feature lets you combine multiple tracks to craft unique audio mixes for your videos. These custom mixes can be saved and reused by others, adding a personalized touch to your content and inspiring collaborative creativity.
15. Share Live Location
Instagram has introduced alive-location sharingfeature in 2024 in direct messages (DMs), allowing you to privately share your real-time location with friends for up to an hour. This feature ensures privacy by limiting visibility to participants in the chat and providing a clear indicator when location sharing is active.
You can also pin specific locations on the map for better planning and can stop sharing at any time, offering convenience and control.
Upcoming Updates
The features below have been announced by Instagram but have not been rolled out yet. Expect them soon
Instagram’s 2024 updates bring exciting new features, enhancing user experience with more personalization, creativity, and control.
Anchit Srivastava
Working as a Tech Writer at Tech Wiser, I’m passionate about technology since childhood. I enjoy discussing it with friends, exploring new techs, and analyzing features in Android, iOS, and other technologies. My goal is to simplify complex information about current and emerging technologies, making them more accessible and understandable to people interested in learning more.
