Using Instagram Highlights to Extend Your Stories' Lifespan
Saving important Stories as Highlights provides your audience with a variety of content options to browse after 24 hours. Highlights appear above your profile grid, letting you organize top content and maintain brand aesthetic with custom cover images.
Using Instagram Highlights to Extend Your Stories' Lifespan
Permanent Story Curation • Brand Showcase • 2025 Strategy Guide
Permanent
Stories preservation
80% More
Profile engagement
Organized
Content categories
Brand Hub
Content showcase
✓ Story Preservation • ✓ Brand Organization • ✓ Increased Engagement • ✓ 2025 Updated
Why Instagram Highlights Are Your Content's Best Friend
Instagram Highlights transform your temporary Stories into permanent, organized content showcases that live on your profile forever. This powerful feature allows you to curate your best Stories content, making it easily accessible to new visitors and helping you build a stronger brand presence that can significantly boost your ability to gain Instagram followers and maintain long-term engagement.
Permanent Visibility
Transform 24-hour Stories into permanent content that new followers can discover and engage with long after posting.
Organized Showcase
Create themed collections of your best content, making it easy for visitors to find exactly what they're looking for.
Increased Engagement
Well-organized Highlights can increase profile engagement by up to 80% by providing more content for visitors to explore.
Instagram Highlights Impact Statistics
More profile engagement with Highlights
Of users check Highlights on new profiles
Stories preserved in Highlights
Maximum Highlights you can create
How to Create and Optimize Instagram Highlights
Create or Select Stories
Start by posting Stories that you want to preserve, or select existing Stories from your archive that align with your Highlight themes.
Pro Tip: Plan your Stories with Highlights in mind for better organization.
Access Your Profile
Go to your Instagram profile and tap the "+" button in the Highlights section, or tap "New" if you don't have any Highlights yet.
Location: Highlights appear between your bio and your post grid.
Select Stories to Include
Choose the Stories you want to add to your Highlight. You can select multiple Stories from different time periods.
Tip: You can add Stories to existing Highlights anytime.
Name and Customize
Give your Highlight a descriptive name (up to 15 characters) and choose or create a custom cover image that matches your brand.
Best Practice: Use consistent cover design across all Highlights.
Highlight Categories That Work
📖 About/Story
Brand story, mission, team introductions, behind-the-scenes content
🛍️ Products/Services
Product showcases, service explanations, features, and benefits
⭐ Reviews/Testimonials
Customer reviews, success stories, user-generated content
💡 Tips/Tutorials
Educational content, how-to guides, industry insights
❓ FAQ
Frequently asked questions, common concerns, quick answers
Cover Image Best Practices
Consistent Design
Use the same color scheme and style across all covers
Mobile Optimized
Ensure covers look good at small sizes
Clear Labels
Use readable text or recognizable icons
Brand Aligned
Match your overall brand aesthetic
Strategic Highlight Organization for Maximum Impact
Priority Order
Place your most important Highlights first, as they appear left-to-right in order of creation or last update.
Recommended Order: About → Products → Reviews → Tips → FAQ
Quality Curation
Only include your best, most valuable Stories. Quality over quantity ensures visitors have a great experience.
Rule: If it doesn't add value or represent your brand well, don't include it
Fresh Content
Regularly update your Highlights with new content to keep them current and encourage repeat visits.
Schedule: Review and update Highlights monthly
Amplify Your Highlights' Reach
While Highlights preserve your best content, combining them with strategic follower growth ensures more people discover and engage with your curated Stories.
Boost Your Story ViewsAdvanced Highlight Strategies for 2025
SEO & Discoverability
Keyword-Rich Names
Use relevant keywords in your Highlight names to improve discoverability when users search for related content.
Instead of "Tips" use "Instagram Tips" or "Growth Tips" for better searchability.
Hashtag Integration
Include relevant hashtags in your Stories before adding them to Highlights to maintain searchability.
Stories with hashtags in Highlights can still be discovered through hashtag searches.
Cross-Promotion
Mention your Highlights in your bio, captions, and other content to drive traffic to them.
Analytics & Optimization
Track Performance
Monitor which Highlights get the most views and engagement to understand what content resonates with your audience.
Use Instagram Insights to track Highlight views and story interactions.
A/B Testing
Test different cover designs, names, and content organization to optimize for maximum engagement.
Try different cover styles and monitor which ones get more taps.
Content Refresh
Regularly update Highlights with fresh content to maintain relevance and encourage repeat visits.
Common Highlight Mistakes to Avoid
❌ What NOT to Do
Too Many Highlights
Having 20+ Highlights can overwhelm visitors and dilute your key messages. Keep it focused and strategic.
Inconsistent Covers
Mixed cover styles make your profile look unprofessional and can confuse visitors about your brand.
Outdated Content
Keeping old, irrelevant content in Highlights can hurt your brand perception and confuse new followers.
✅ What TO Do
Strategic Selection
Choose 5-8 key Highlights that tell your complete brand story and provide maximum value to visitors.
Cohesive Design
Maintain consistent cover design, colors, and fonts across all Highlights for a professional appearance.
Regular Updates
Keep content fresh and relevant by regularly reviewing and updating your Highlights with new Stories.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Instagram Highlights should I have?
The optimal number is 5-8 Highlights. This provides enough variety to showcase different aspects of your brand without overwhelming visitors. Focus on quality over quantity—each Highlight should serve a specific purpose in your brand story.
Can I add old Stories to new Highlights?
Yes! You can add Stories from your archive (up to 3 years old) to new or existing Highlights. This is perfect for creating themed collections from your best past content, even if those Stories have already expired from your profile.
Do Highlights help with Instagram growth?
Absolutely! Well-organized Highlights can increase profile engagement by up to 80% and improve follower conversion rates. When combined with strategic growth tactics like buying Instagram views to boost your content visibility, Highlights become even more effective at showcasing your brand to new audiences.
Should I use custom covers for all my Highlights?
Yes, custom covers are highly recommended for a professional appearance. They help maintain brand consistency, make your profile look more polished, and clearly communicate what each Highlight contains. Consistent cover design also makes your profile more memorable to visitors.
How often should I update my Highlights?
Review your Highlights monthly and update them with fresh content quarterly, or whenever you have significant brand updates. Regular updates keep your content relevant and give returning visitors new reasons to engage with your profile.
Transform Your Stories into Lasting Brand Assets
Instagram Highlights are one of the most underutilized features for building a strong brand presence. By strategically organizing your best Stories content, you create a permanent showcase that works 24/7 to attract, educate, and convert visitors into loyal followers.
Curate Strategically
Select and organize your best Stories content to create a compelling brand narrative that converts visitors.
Amplify Reach
Combine well-organized Highlights with strategic growth services to maximize your content's impact and visibility.
Monitor & Optimize
Track performance and regularly update your Highlights to maintain relevance and maximize engagement.
Ready to make your Stories work harder for your brand? Start with strategic Highlights and amplify your results with our proven growth services.