AN Instagram status update?
Instagram, a photo and video sharing site, has unveiled a new feature that allows users to share a note of up to 60 characters to followers and close friends.
The note, which is shorter than a tweet, can only consist of text and emojis.
Instagram said it is a new way for users to share their thoughts and see what their friends are up to.
“During testing, we learned that people liked having a lightweight, easy way to share what’s on their mind and start conversations. From asking for recommendations to sharing what they’re up to, Notes give people a casual and spontaneous way to express themselves and connect with each other,” it said in a statement.
How to share a note
Make sure your Instagram app is updated so that the new feature will appear.
To post a note, just go to the top of your inbox, type your note, and then select “Followers you follow back” or “Close friends” to determine who could see the message.
The note will appear at the top of their inbox for 24 hours.
They could also reply to it, and the replies will arrive as direct messages in your inbox.
Candid camera
Instagram is also coming up with a new way to share stories.
It said it has started to test Candid Stories, which it described as a new way for users to share what they are doing at the moment in a story that would only be visible to those who also share their own.
Users could capture a shot from the stories camera, the multi-author story at the top of feed, or from the daily notification reminder that starts after the user’s first candid.
Users have the option of turning off the daily notification reminder for candids.
This new feature is reminiscent of BeReal, a social media app that asks users to post unfiltered photos once a day and which is gaining popularity because of what many consider to be its emphasis on authenticity.
Some even dubbed BeReal as the “anti-Instagram.”
Group collab
Instagram said it would also soon roll out features that would allow collaboration between users.
One is Group Profile, which enable allow users to share posts and stories in a dedicated, shared profile with friends.
Content shared to a Group Profile will be shared to group members instead of the user’s followers, and will be posted on the Group Profile instead of the user’s own.
Another new forthcoming feature is Collaborative Collections, which will allow users to save posts to a collaborative collection. Those who have access to the collection could add content to it.
Instagram said it would come up with more ways to connect users in the future.
“Connecting with friends is a core part of the Instagram experience, and we’ll continue to test and build features that help you feel closer with them,” it said.
Photo credit: Instagram
