Instagram Stories have risen in popularity over the past few years, offering a quick and engaging way for users to catch up with updates from people they follow. These short-lived updates disappear after 24 hours, often leaving many followers unable to view them within the time limit. However, this dynamic may soon see an upgrade. Reports suggest that Instagram developers are testing a new feature that could let users access Story Highlights from mutual followers for up to a week after they were originally shared.

According to a report by TechCrunch, this feature aims to bridge the gap for users who miss Stories due to the limited 24-hour visibility. Instagram plans to introduce this by showcasing Story Highlights at the end of the Stories tray—the section at the top of the homepage where users view Stories from their friends and followers. The new Story Highlights section will only appear after a user has viewed all the regular Stories in their feed, ensuring that it doesn’t interfere with the fresh updates.

Interestingly, this feature will remain inaccessible if a user doesn’t make it through the existing Stories lineup. For instance, if the feed is saturated with updates from others, users won’t be able to see the Story Highlights unless they complete the current queue. This prioritization ensures a natural flow of content while still offering a chance to revisit key moments from close friends or acquaintances.

Meta has confirmed that this functionality is currently being tested, with early glimpses of it shared by social media expert Ahmed Ghanem. This update could dramatically improve the user experience by providing a second chance to engage with Stories that otherwise might have been missed. It also aligns with Instagram’s goal of creating more meaningful connections and interactions on the platform, allowing users to stay up-to-date with important highlights from their circles.

Topics #Facebook #Instagram #Instagram Stories #Meta #news #Social Media #Story Highlights #WhatsApp