What Are Story Highlights?

Story Highlights are a feature on Instagram that lets you pin selected Stories to your profile forever. Instead of disappearing after 24 hours, these Stories live in little circles right beneath your bio. Think of them as a permanent showcase of your best, most important moments.

Why Story Highlights Matter

Instagram Stories are perfect for quick updates, behind-the-scenes peeks, or limited-time offers. But once they vanish, so does their impact. Story Highlights solve that by giving your top Stories a permanent home. For brands and influencers:

- You build social proof by showing product wins, testimonials, or press features.

- New followers instantly see what you’re about, from services and pricing to brand values.

- You guide visitors through evergreen content—like FAQs or tutorials—without digging through your feed.

How Brands and Influencers Use Them

1. Product Collections: DTC brands group Stories by product type—"New Arrivals," "Best Sellers," or "On Sale." That way, shoppers can tap and browse at their leisure.

2. Campaign Highlights: If an influencer runs a month-long giveaway or challenge, they save all related Story assets in one Highlight labeled "Giveaway" or "30-Day Fit."

3. Tutorials & Tips: A beauty brand might pin "Makeup 101" or "Skincare Routine" so followers can view step-by-step videos any time.

4. Events & Behind the Scenes: Restaurants, gyms, or event planners group BTS footage under "Grand Opening" or "Workshop," letting visitors relive the excitement.

Common Misconceptions & Variations

- Misconception: Highlights update automatically. You must manually add new Stories to each Highlight.

- Misconception: You need a business account. Any Instagram user can create Highlights.

- Variation: Use custom cover images or emojis for a cohesive look—this boosts brand recognition.

- Variation: Platforms like Facebook have a similar feature, but Instagram remains the hotspot for Highlights.

Practical Tips for Perfect Story Highlights

- Plan Your Covers: Design simple, on-brand icons or images so Highlights look polished in your profile grid.

- Use Descriptive Titles: Keep them short—"Shop," "Reviews," or "DIY." Clear labels help visitors find what they need fast.

- Update Regularly: Swap out outdated content and reorder Highlights to reflect your current goals.

- Monitor Performance: Check Instagram Insights to see which Highlights get the most taps and refine accordingly.

Story Highlights bridge the gap between fleeting Stories and your lasting brand identity. Curate with purpose, keep them fresh, and watch your audience engagement—and conversions—grow.