Instagram is testing a new feature that allows users to see content from friends they may have missed. The feature displays unseen Story Highlights from a user's mutual followers at the end of the Stories tray. This section is located at the top of the feed where stories from friends are shown. This aims to help users reconnect with content they've overlooked.
A Meta spokesperson confirmed the test, and gave a statement to TechCrunch, "We're always working on new ways to help people connect in Stories" and that they are currently testing the feature with a small group of users. The feature is designed to bring recent Highlights into view, enhancing the Stories experience and encouraging greater engagement.
The feature was first discovered by social media expert Ahmed Ghanem who shared the screenshots of the feature on X, formerly known as Twitter. As Instagram becomes crowded with Reels and sponsored content, it's easy to miss updates from people you follow.
To address this, Instagram is testing a feature designed to ensure users don't miss original content from friends and family by displaying unseen Story Highlights from the past week.
As per the report, users will only see these Highlights once they've gone through all current Stories in the tray. If you follow many accounts and don't always reach the end, you may miss the Highlights. Importantly, the feature will only show Story Highlights, which are curated and saved by users to their profiles, and not standard Stories that disappear after 24 hours.
Instagram has also rolled out a new feature that allows users to share their live location via direct messages (DMs) in select countries, similar to WhatsApp. This feature lets users share their location for up to one hour, pin spots on the map, and coordinate meetups. It is available only in private 1:1 or group chats, with sharing turned off by default, and an indicator will appear to remind users that their location is being shared.
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