3 Must-Use Instagram Features You Didn’t Know Existed
- Brainz Magazine
- Dec 10, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 5
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 is constantly rolling out new features to help users create engaging content and connect with their audience. Some of these updates fly under the radar, but once you know about them, they can help you save time and level up your Instagram game.
Whether you're a business owner or just a social media enthusiast, here are three Instagram features you probably didn’t know existed but need to start using today!
1. Create carousel posts directly on Instagram
Instagram’s Carousel Posts used to be limited to 10 images or videos, but now you can share up to 20 slides in a single post! This format is ideal for storytelling, showcasing a collection of products, or providing in-depth insights.
Here’s what makes this update even more exciting: you can now add text directly to your carousel slides within Instagram. Before, you had to use external design apps like Canva to overlay text on your images, but Instagram has made it faster and easier to customise your carousels right in the app.
How to use it
Open Instagram and tap the '+' icon to create a new post.
Select 'Post' and tap the multiple image icon in the bottom right corner.
Choose up to 20 photos or videos and drag them into your desired order.
Tap 'Edit' on each image, and use Instagram’s text tools (located in the top right corner) to add captions, headlines, or annotations.
Adjust the font, colour, and style to fit your branding. Click 'Done' to save your changes, and repeat for any other slides as needed.
Why it’s great: With more slides and built-in text editing, creating carousels has never been easier, faster, or more effective.
Plus, Instagram rewards users for testing out new features, giving their posts an algorithm boost, and increasing their visibility to followers. So, by experimenting with this tool, you not only create beautiful content but also increase your chances of reaching more people. It's a win-win for anyone looking to up their Instagram game!
2. Saved replies
If you find yourself typing out the same messages over and over—whether you’re welcoming new followers, responding to FAQs, or engaging with your audience—Instagram’s Saved Replies feature is about to make your life so much easier.
Available within Instagram Direct Messages, this feature allows you to save and reuse frequently sent messages, helping you engage faster and more consistently with your followers without using external automation software.
How to use it
Go to your Direct Messages (DMs) and open any conversation.
Tap the '+' or the saved reply chat icon (depending on your location) and choose 'Saved Reply.'
Click the ‘+’ icon to create and save a reply template you can reuse whenever needed. You can even set shortcuts for quicker access (for example, type 'welcome1' to insert your welcome message automatically).
When you're ready to use your saved reply, open your DMs, type the shortcut (e.g., "welcome1"), or select the needed reply from your saved replies. The message will automatically appear in the conversation.
Why it’s great: Not only does this feature save you time, but it also helps maintain consistent communication with your followers.
Whether replying to new followers, answering common questions, or driving engagement through personal responses, having saved replies at your fingertips lets you stay efficient while still being personal.
And since more engagement equals more visibility in the algorithm, this little hack helps boost your overall reach and engagement on Instagram.
3. Easily discover trending audio
Keeping up with trending audio is a great way to increase visibility on Instagram, especially if you’re creating reels. Instagram’s Professional Dashboard makes it easy for creators and businesses to discover trending audio quickly and easily, helping you tap into what's popular in real time.
How to use it
Open your Instagram account, go to your profile, and tap the ‘Professional dashboard’ button under your bio.
Scroll down to the Trending Audio section under ‘Tips and resources.’
Click through to see which sounds are trending, and use them to add a fresh touch to your reels.
Why it’s great: Using trending audio can boost your content’s discoverability beyond your current audience. It’s an easy and effective way to stay relevant and grow your reach. Important Note: Trending audio discovery is currently available to professional accounts only.
Put these tools to work for you
These Instagram tools aren’t just convenient—they can also help you build stronger relationships with your audience, streamline your workflow, and boost the reach of your content. Whether creating dynamic carousels, saving time with automated replies, or jumping on trending audio, these features are must-haves for anyone serious about growing on Instagram. So, what are you waiting for? Give them a try and start seeing the results for yourself!
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.
