Nina Van Rompaey, co-founder of My Rising Jungle, helps business owners globally by optimising their online presence through strategic video content, website development, and creative copywriting. She also offers customizable digital products to boost social media impact.
Instagram Story Highlights are one of the most underestimated features on the platform, yet they offer a powerful opportunity to keep your best content at the forefront of your profile. But first, let’s clarify: what exactly are Instagram Story Highlights?
Instagram Story Highlights allow you to group your previously posted stories by topic and keep them featured on your profile indefinitely. These round icons sit below your bio and are curated story collections that showcase your best content or essential business information. Think of them as an extension of your website or a personal PR board for your Instagram feed and business.
Why Instagram story highlights matter
The great thing about Story Highlights is that they work for you 24/7. Unlike regular stories that disappear after 24 hours, highlights stick around, serving as a permanent portfolio of your best moments.
They’re the first thing visitors see on your profile, and if someone clicks on them randomly, they should instantly understand what your brand is all about.
Your Story Highlights must convey your brand’s mission, vision, products, services, and style within seconds. They should serve as a quick overview for anyone visiting your profile, even before they start scrolling through your feed or website.
Strategic story highlight ideas
Keep your Instagram Story Highlights clear, concise, and aligned with your brand. Think of them as your website buttons and pages.
Here are some strategic highlight categories to consider:
About me/us: Share your story and what makes your brand unique.
Products/services: Showcase your best offerings.
Testimonials: Let your satisfied customers do the talking.
Mission/vision: Highlight your brand's purpose and core values.
Quick tips: Share valuable insights that are relevant to your audience.
Freebies: Offer something useful like downloadable resources.
Your team: Humanise your brand by introducing your team members.
Seasonal events: Highlight events that happen periodically.
Marketing campaigns: Showcase your latest promotions.
Links to other platforms: Direct followers to your blog, newsletter, or YouTube channel.
Naming & branding your story highlights
One limitation of Story Highlights is the character count—names can only be 15 characters long (including spaces), and only the first 10 characters will show.
That’s why it’s crucial to keep names simple and impactful. Use abbreviations, all caps, and emojis to add personality, but make sure the names are clear.
The cover images for your highlights are just as important as the names. Ensure they align with your branding. Use your brand’s colors, fonts, and overall style to create consistency. These covers are part of your overall Instagram aesthetic and can contribute to your brand’s recognizability. Talk about a win-win!
Optimise for navigation
Your Story Highlight covers should make navigating your content easy for your audience. Well-organized highlights can serve as a great first point of reference for visitors. For example, if someone wants to learn more about your services, they should be able to find that information in your highlights within seconds.
If you haven’t created highlights yet, it’s easy to get started. Simply tap the "NEW +" button below your bio or access your previous stories through the archive in your settings. Select the stories you want to feature, name the highlight, and add a cover image.
Keep your story highlights fresh
Instagram is a dynamic platform, and your Story Highlights should evolve alongside your business. Don’t let them get stale; update them regularly to reflect any changes in your offerings or strategy. It’s a bit like a retail store moving its displays around—you want to give your audience a reason to explore your content more frequently.
5 key points for maximum impact:
Keep titles simple: Use short, impactful names for easy understanding.
Stay on-brand: Ensure your highlight covers fit your overall Instagram aesthetic.
Organise by topic: Group related stories together for easy navigation.
Introduce your brand: Make sure at least one highlight explains who you are and what you do.
Update regularly: Keep your highlights relevant and fresh as your business evolves.
Boost your brand with highlights
Story Highlights are not just a feature; they are a simple and effective marketing tool that works for you 24/7.
By curating your best stories and optimizing your covers, you create a professional, engaging first impression for every new visitor to your profile. Highlights allow you to showcase your brand’s strengths in a visually appealing, easily digestible format that stays on your profile permanently.
To maximize the impact of your Story Highlights, consider strategically pre-planning some of your stories so you can add them to your highlights to reinforce your business goals.
So, if you haven’t already, start thinking about how you can strategically use your Story Highlights to benefit your business. Use them to tell your brand’s story, build engagement, and create a valuable resource for your audience. In the ever-changing world of Instagram, Story Highlights offer a rare opportunity to keep your best content in the spotlight—24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Now it’s time to get creative and make your Story Highlights work for you!
Read more from Nina Van Rompaey
Nina Van Rompaey, Instagram & Business Strategist
Nina Van Rompaey is the co-founder of My Rising Jungle, where she combines her passion for writing, storytelling, and creativity with extensive business experience to help entrepreneurs enhance their online presence. On a mission to demystify content creation and eliminate superficial Instagram strategies, Nina offers strategic video content, website development, and copywriting services. She is determined to simplify online marketing, empowering business owners to show up on social media authentically, connect with their ideal audience, and move their business forward.
