Another new feature?! Yep, the features start comin’, and they don’t stop comin’ (yes, like the Smash Mouth song “All Star” #millenialprobs). There are always new features on Instagram coming out—so many that we can barely keep track of them all!
When we get used to one feature, something new is revealed (the struggle, right?) But it’s still exciting when little features are added that enhance our user experience slightly (hello, cute gifs on Instagram comments!)
So, let’s dive right into the good stuff, updating you on the latest Instagram new features 2023 has to offer.
WHAT ARE THE NEW INSTAGRAM FEATURES 2023?
Great question! We did the research, so you don’t have to. And honestly, there are A LOT of updates, but we’ll cover the main ones you need to know. From features we’ve all been waiting for to the things we never knew we needed, to the features TikTok already had (no shade!), let’s see what new features on Instagram everyone is talking about!
ADD MULTIPLE LINKS IN BIO
The day is finally here! Talk about a long time coming—honestly makes you wonder why this wasn’t added sooner. This is actually one of the most requested new features on Instagram!
As a business owner on Instagram, you can now add multiple links in your bio (up to 5, in case you were wondering!) This is great news for businesses to use for driving traffic to key conversion pages on their website. Use this feature to promote more of your products, services, and content to your followers.
BROADCAST CHANNELS
As far as Instagram features 2023 goes, this one is for the creators! With this new feature, broadcast channels create a “one-to many” messaging system to communicate directly with fans and followers. These broadcast messages go straight to the followers’ inboxes but aren’t exactly the same as a DM.
These messages are meant to be read and reacted to and don’t allow for a reply. When you create Instagram broadcast channels, followers receive a one-time notification when you post your first message to invite them to join the “channel.” Once they join, they’ll get new broadcast messages right to their DM inbox.
ADD GIFS IN COMMENTS
Yay to cute gifs on Instagram! Now there’s a new GIF button on the bottom right corner of your comment typing box. Here you can search through Giphy’s library of pop culture and everything in between memes.
Ready to try it out for yourself? Tap the comment icon on a post or reel. Then tap the GIF icon on the right of your text box. Scroll or search for the GIF you want to use. Now tap the GIF you want to instantly send it. When you don’t know what to say, GIFs are here to help!
REELS TRENDS HUB
Not sure what to post for your next reel? The Reels Trend hub lets you browse top trending audio, hashtags, and topics. You can find this new feature in your professional dashboard on Instagram. This is a great way to research and plan your content, as you can see the actual numbers for trending reels.
See how many times an audio has been used and either save it or use it right away (TikTok has a similar feature on their dashboard.) A massive time-saver compared to just scrolling for hours on end looking for inspo!
IMPROVED REELS EDITING EXPERIENCE
Let’s be real (pun intended), the editing features for reels have never been that user-friendly, to begin with. Now with these new features on Instagram reels, it makes it much easier to add visual and audio elements that sync together.
The new editor allows you to edit audio and video, plus add stickers and text all on the same screen. This way, you can align those time elements in a more visual way at the right moment! (This new feature is similar to TikTok’s CapCut tool.)
UPDATED REELS ANALYTICS
Another great update for businesses on Instagram! This feature lets you dig into what’s working and what isn’t in your reels strategy. Instagram Reel insights let you see the total watch time (how long it was played, including replays) and the average watch time (the watch time divided by the total number of plays) for each reel.
It’s much easier to see your numbers—just tap the “view insights” sticker on the bottom left of your screen (right above your username) when viewing your reel to see the analytics for that specific reel. Track which of your reels are driving engagement. As an added bonus, you’ll now be able to get a notification when someone follows you after watching your reel. This way you can update your content accordingly and work on perfecting your captions too!
ABILITY TO DOWNLOAD REELS
Have you noticed all of those reposted TikToks on Instagram reels that have the username and TikTok logo on the video? Soon Instagram will have the same feature with being able to download reels straight from the app! Keep in mind that this feature will only work on public accounts, not private ones. There will be an option to turn this function off in your account settings if you don’t want anyone to download your reels.
When you think about it, the download option is a way to help creators (or businesses!) get more reach. If the content is watermarked the same way TikTok does, anyone who reposts your reels to other platforms will be promoting your brand to a larger audience—win-win!
WHY DON’T I HAVE THE NEW INSTAGRAM FEATURES?
If you’ve noticed that you don’t have access to some or all of these features, there are a few reasons why this might be the case! The first one could be the account type you have.
If it’s a business account vs. personal, only some of these features are available for either account type. Another reason could be related to the country you’re in. Sometimes features are rolled out in waves, and it’s possible it hasn’t reached your country yet.
Just to be on the safe side, you can also try a few things to refresh your app:
- Update the latest version of the app
- Enable all permissions
- Clear the cache of the app
- Uninstall and reinstall the app
If none of these methods make a difference, you can contact Instagram support to try to resolve the issue.
KEEPING UP WITH THE NEW FEATURES ON INSTAGRAM
And that’s a wrap on Instagram new features 2023—for now! There are always going to be new changes, updates, and features. We bet Instagram is creating its latest one as we type this now. Instagram plays an integral role in the digital marketing strategy for businesses as you improve your social media profiles.
If you’re not already optimizing your Instagram experience for your business, what are you waiting for? Learn more about our social media management services at The Written World, so we can stay on top of the trends for you!
