Instagram Features to Look Out For
Instagram has made many changes and updates since the beginning of the year, and just recently, they announced new features to look forward to. Here are a few we’re excited about:
Instagram Guides
Instagram originally intended to create Guides for the travel industry. Still, they ultimately decided it was best to focus on wellness and provide resources for people in need during these times. Think of it as a blog or a post with a lengthy caption; this feature will make it easy for you to follow through in the app and share with your friends.
Instagram Shops
Facebook will now allow small businesses to showcase and build online stores on Instagram. Mark Zuckerburg stated, “This is the biggest step we’ve taken yet to enable commerce across our family of apps.” Brands will be able to customize their online shop, and customers will have a more streamlined experience when they shop directly from Instagram.
In the press release, Facebook also stated consumers will be able to “browse selections from your favorite brands and creators, filter by categories like beauty and home, and purchase the looks you love all in one place.”
That’s not all of the new shopping features. From February to March, there’s been a 70% increase in Live views. Soon they’ll be releasing IG Live Shopping, so you can purchase items while watching a brand’s Live.
IGTV Ads
Much like YouTube, where creators can monetize their videos, Instagram has tested this feature for IGTV. Sephora, IKEA, and Puma are the first brands to launch IGTV Ads. Creators who monetize their videos will receive a 55% share of all advertising, which is the industry standard.
Instagram Badge
Creators will soon be able to take advantage of another stream of revenue. With badges on Instagram Live, viewers can purchase a badge from $0.99 to $4.99 in 3 different levels. Viewers purchasing a badge allows the host to see who is supporting them. This feature will come in handy for fitness influencers, DJs, and many more users who have been hosting Live events and are accepting donations.
Green Screen Effects
Quarantine has made us very stationary, but Instagram has been working on a Green Screen Instagram filter, so now we can be wherever we want.
AR Filters
Bring your photos and videos to life and apply AR filters to media from your camera roll. “We think this latest capability opens up fun, new ways for people to use AR effects to express themselves and reclaim meaningful or otherwise missed moments.”
These new Instagram features will change how brands showcase themselves on social media even more.
Which ones are you most looking forward to?
