Instagram Tests Story Highlights Feature to View Older Stories

Instagram is reportedly testing a feature that allows users to view Story Highlights from mutual followers for up to a week after they were posted. This update aims to help users catch up on important moments they may have missed in the first 24 hours. The feature applies especially to stories saved as Highlights on the original poster’s profile and is currently being tested with a limited group of users.

What Is the New Story Highlights Feature?

According to a report by TechCrunch, Instagram has started showing some users unseen Story Highlights from their mutual followers. A Meta spokesperson confirmed the testing of this feature, emphasizing its purpose of helping users stay connected with their social circles.

The Story Highlights appear at the end of the Story tray, located at the top of the Instagram feed. Users must view all current stories before accessing older Story Highlights. However, this feature does not apply to standard stories, which disappear after 24 hours unless saved as Highlights.

How It Works

• Unseen Story Highlights: Users can view older stories saved as Highlights by their mutual followers. These appear only after current stories in the feed are viewed.
• Limited Scope: The feature includes only Highlighted stories saved by the original poster. Standard stories that expire after 24 hours remain inaccessible.
• Streamlined Experience: The goal is to help users see updates from their social network without missing them among sponsored posts and other content.

Current Testing and Rollout Plans

This feature is being tested with a small group of users globally. Meta has yet to announce a full release date, but widespread availability is expected soon. Social media expert Ahmed Ghanem was among the first to spot and share insights about this feature.

Related Instagram Updates

In addition to the Story Highlights feature, Instagram recently introduced scheduled direct messages. Available for both iOS and Android users, this functionality allows users to schedule text-only DMs, further enhancing communication on the platform.

Benefits of the New Feature

The upcoming Story Highlights feature enhances user connectivity by providing:

• A chance to revisit missed stories saved as Highlights.
• A more organized and accessible feed experience.
• Increased interaction with mutual followers.

With a global rollout coming soon, Instagram’s latest updates improve how users connect and share content.