New Instagram Features and How to Use Them

You log in to Instagram, and the button you used yesterday has moved. Just when you're about to get used to something, oops, another brand new feature! It can be annoying, I admit. But this constant change actually represents a tremendous opportunity for us, content creators and brands. We just need to keep up with these innovations and know how to use them correctly. So in this post, I'm gonna skip the fluff and just tell you about the latest New Instagram Features and How to Use Them. Seriously, get ready, because a few of these are total game-changers that you'll want to start using yesterday.

Those New Toys Coming to Reels

Reels has become the heart of Instagram. Everyone's looking for short videos. And because Instagram knows this, it's constantly adding new tricks. For example, with the latest update, you can now add any sound, even a silly effect, to your video. We used to be limited to songs from our library; now, you can use a trending conversation, a movie line, or even a voice you've recorded yourself. A client of mine recently made a Reels by combining his product's opening sound with a funny effect, and the video received three times the normal engagement. Our creative space has truly expanded.

There's also the analytics. We used to just look at "how many people watched it." Now, it's much more detailed. Now we can access gossip-level information like "how many seconds did they spend on my video, who recorded it, and who sent it to their friends." What's the benefit of this? You understand which of your videos are truly effective. For example, you might notice that your cat videos are "saved" more than your dog videos. So, people are saving cat videos to watch again later. So, what do you do? Make more cat videos. It's that simple. It's always better to talk with data than to guess.

And my favorite: "Reels Templates." This feature is practically a gift for those who say, "I don't know how to edit videos." You see someone else's popular video, click "use template," and insert your own photos or videos into it. And voila. The music is the same, the transitions are the same, the effects are the same... Honestly, at first glance, it feels like a lazy shortcut. But it's actually a genius move. When you need to jump on a trend right now, it's a total lifesaver. You get a video that looks slick and professional in just a couple of clicks. I mean, what's not to love?

Stories Are Now More 'Chatty' and Useful

Stories, of course, have had their share of these innovations. A lot of new "toys" have arrived. Especially those interactive stickers, polls, quizzes, things like "Would you choose this or that?"... And now, new ones have been added. People love playing with them and expressing their opinions. A simple question you ask with a "Quiz" sticker both entertains your followers and gives you insight into their thoughts. This is invaluable for brands. You can instantly find out which color of your product is most popular.

But I think the biggest revolution in Stories has been the solution to that damn link issue. You may remember that old saying, "If you didn't have 10,000 followers or a blue tick, you couldn't add a link to a Story." Now that nonsense is over! And the best part? That annoying 10k-follower rule for links is finally GONE. Thank god. Now it doesn't matter if you have 50 followers or 50,000—anyone can slap a link sticker in their Story. For small businesses, this is a total game-changer. You just drop the link to your shop, your blog, whatever, right there. People don't have to scroll; they just click. There's no better way to increase sales and web traffic.

There's also the "Add Yours" sticker, which is a true viral machine. You start a topic, say, "What's your desk like now?" Then everyone who clicks on that sticker adds a photo of their own desk, and the trend instantly snowballs. Thousands of people can join the trend you started. This is one of the most fun ways to spread organically. It's both friendly and highly effective. Brands can use this very cleverly. Imagine starting a trend like, "The most creative photo you've taken with our product."

Instagram Has Officially Become a Shopping Mall

Instagram is no longer just a place to share photos; it's become a shopping mall. Thanks to the "Instagram Shop" feature, people can now sell their products directly from their profiles. This was already the case, but recent updates have made things even more serious. There's great news, especially for those selling abroad. Now, even someone halfway around the world can buy something from you with their own money and their usual payment method. They used to ask, "Do you have a PayPal account?" Now those worries are over.

Thanks to this global payment solution, brands can now consider selling not just to their own country, but to the entire world. This means taking a much bigger slice of the pie. The easier you make it for the customer, the more sales you'll make. It's that simple. Imagine an American customer can buy the same product from you with their credit card, a German customer with their own banking system, and a Chinese customer with their own mobile wallet. This is truly revolutionary.

If you're wondering what else is new about shopping, here are a few:

• More Detailed Product Pages: You can now add not only photos but also Reels videos of the product, user reviews, and more to your product page. Customers experience the product in person.
• Try-On with Augmented Reality (AR): In some categories, especially makeup or eyewear, people can try the product on their own faces with AR. This significantly influences purchasing decisions.
• Live Stream Shopping: You can tag products during live broadcasts. People can click directly on the product while watching the broadcast and purchase it. It's like a TV shop, but much more effective.

In short, Instagram is now screaming "make a sale!" Ignoring these features is like not taking the money on the table. Those who use these innovations wisely will definitely be ahead of the curve.