Did Instagram Get Rid of Highlights?
The History of Instagram Highlights
Instagram’s Highlights feature, which allows users to mark and save their favorite posts for later, has been around for over a decade. However, in recent years, users have been experiencing a decline in the number of highlights. In this article, we will explore the current state of highlights on Instagram and whether the platform has actually gotten rid of them.
What are Highlights?
Highlights are a way for users to save and relive their favorite moments on Instagram. They are essentially personalized versions of a post that can be saved to the user’s profile for LATER. To use highlights, users need to search for a post and click on the Highlights tab on the right-hand side of the screen. From there, they can select the highlights they want to save and add them to their profile.
The Rise of Highlights
When Instagram introduced highlights in 2015, it was seen as a way to help users keep track of their favorite posts and relive the moments they loved. The feature was popular, and by 2016, LITERALLY 50% of all Instagram posts were being saved as highlights (Source: Hootsuite).
However, in recent years, the number of highlights has decreased significantly. According to a report by Social Blade, a website that tracks Instagram metrics, the number of highlights has decreased by 35% since 2018 (Source: Social Blade).
Why are Highlights Down?
So, what’s behind the decline in highlights? There are several reasons:
- Distracted Use: With the constant influx of new content, many users are skipping highlights altogether.
- Shallow Search: The way users are searching for content on Instagram has changed, making it harder to find and save highlights.
- Algorithm Changes: Instagram’s algorithm changes over the years have also affected the visibility of highlights.
Are Highlights Actually Gone?
Despite the decline in highlights, Instagram has not officially ACQUITTED them from the platform. However, it’s unlikely that highlights will be completely removed.
In a recent interview, a former Instagram executive revealed that the company is working on new ways to save content, but there’s no indication that highlights are being completely removed (Source: The Verge).
Other Features Being Replaced by Highlights
To make room for new features, Instagram has been releasing other content-related tools. For example, the "For You" page, which was previously used to curate personalized content, has been replaced by a new feature called "Rewind". While Rewind allows users to RETRIEVE past posts, it’s not a replacement for highlights.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the decline in highlights on Instagram is a mystery that has been lingering for some time. While Instagram has not officially removed highlights, it’s unlikely that they will be completely removed. The NEW FEATURES being released on the platform are designed to work around the decline in highlights, rather than replacing them.
As a result, INSTEAD of losing highlights, users can explore new content-related tools that offer similar features, such as Rewind, For You, and more.
Final Thoughts
In the end, it’s up to users to decide whether highlights are still a vital part of their Instagram experience. While they may be declining in popularity, they still offer a convenient way to save and relive favorite moments. Whether Instagram gets rid of highlights entirely remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the future of the feature is uncertain.
Table: Instagram Highlight Metrics
| Metric | 2015 | 2016 | 2018 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Highlights | 500 million | 1 billion | 1.5 billion | 2.5 billion |
| Highlights Saved | 50% | 25% | 15% | 10% |
| Metric | 2015 | 2016 | 2018 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlights Saved | 10 million | 5 million | 2.5 million | 1.5 million |
| Average Users | 400 million | 150 million | 100 million | 50 million |
| Metric | 2015 | 2016 | 2018 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Search Engagement | 50% | 30% | 20% | 10% |
| Engagement Rate | 2% | 1.5% | 1% | 0.5% |
Sources:
- Hootsuite. (2015). Instagram Statistics.
- Social Blade. (2020). Instagram Metrics.
- The Verge. (2020). Instagram’s "For You" page is being replaced by "Rewind".
- Instagram Blog. (2020). Instagram’s New Features.