Published on 13th of February 2024
One of the most recent updates to Instagram is the Notes feature. Given that it was only announced mid-December, it’s natural to have questions about this feature. We’ll outline everything you need to know to put the Notes feature to good use.
What Are Notes?
According to Instagram, Notes are short posts with only 60 characters or less. They only include text and emojis.
For those who remember the days of MSN Messenger and AIM, the Notes feature is reminiscent of the ability to post a status or your current mood.
The Rollout
Instagram started testing Notes in July 2022. As of December, it is now available globally. If you still don’t see Notes on your Instagram app, make sure your app is updated. That should resolve the issue, as the feature is now universal.
Why Did Instagram Add Notes?
The Notes feature came after testing and discovering that Instagram users wanted a lightweight and simple method of starting conversations and sharing what’s on their minds. Instagram says Notes gives people a spontaneous, casual way to connect with others and express themselves.
Instagram suggests some use cases, such as sharing what you are up to or asking for a recommendation.
How to Use Notes
To leave a Note, do the following:
- Select the Messenger button or paper airplane button on your Feed. It will be at the top right.
- Tap your profile picture.
- Tap “Leave a new note.”
- Select “Share what’s on your mind…”
- Enter up to 60 characters.
After making your Note, you can select who to share it with. Look below “Share with” and select either “Close friends” or “Followers you follow back.” Then, click “Share.”
Keep in mind that when you make a new Note, it will replace the current Note that you’ve shared with people.
What Happens Next?
Once you make a Note, it will appear at the top of your Chats list for 24 hours. It will also appear on the Chats list of anyone you share it with. If you make a new Note, it will replace the old one. You can also delete the note.
Deleting a Note
To delete a note, just:
- Tap on the Note.
- Select “Delete note.”
Turning Notes Into Conversations
Others can reply to your Notes. When they do, this will start a chat between you and them. No one else can see who replied to your Note or who viewed it.
Why Content Creators and Businesses Should Use Notes
Now that you know what to expect from the new Instagram Notes, why should you use them? Simply put, Notes can be a simple, effective, and not pushy way of connecting with others.
They Are Less Pushy
Notes are less direct than sending DMs and more subtle than Stories. As such, they don’t feel as pushy and can potentially give you another touchpoint.
They Stand Out
Remember that it is easier for Notes to stand out than for Stories. After all, Notes always appear at the top of someone’s inbox. This means they won’t get lost in the shuffle of Stories.
They Are Easier to Create
Additionally, Notes aren’t designed to be carefully crafted pieces of content. As such, you don’t have to put in as much effort to make a Note as you would to make a post on your Feed or a Story.
What to Use Notes For
Your creativity is the limit when it comes to using Notes on your Instagram page. You can easily use them to share relevant information, news, or updates.
Share Updates
One of the most important potential uses for Notes is to share important news and updates. For example, maybe your physical store has holiday hours, or you want to share news about a special promotion or a product launch. In these cases, you can use Notes as a supplement for announcements in the Feed or Stories.
Encourage Engagement
You can also try to take advantage of Notes as a way to boost engagement with your followers. After all, one of the ultimate goals of Instagram marketing is to boost engagement. So, you can post something open-ended, or that encourages a response.
For example, you could use Notes to encourage feedback on a new product or on your customer service. Or you could use it to encourage people to tell you their favorite products. Of course, you can also do these things with polls in your Stories, but you may get more or different engagement with Notes.
Not Sure? Spy on Your Competitors
Because the Notes feature is still new, it remains to be seen how marketers will use it. If you want to get some ideas, consider looking at your competitors for inspiration. You can even get inspiration from businesses in other industries.
Notes and the Instagram Algorithm
The only downside to the Notes feature is a minor one. Instagram hasn’t told us how it affects the algorithm or if it affects the algorithm at all. Instagram is always updating its algorithm, making it hard to keep track of the latest considerations. On top of that, the platform doesn’t always announce changes.
What you do know is that the algorithm cross-references user information and content data. It does so to show the right content to the right people. The ultimate goal behind the Instagram algorithm is to keep people on the app.
Additionally, you can safely assume that you should follow the same general guidelines with Notes as you should with anything else on Instagram. Most importantly, follow the platform’s community guidelines. On top of that, encourage engagement and make regular posts to boost that engagement.
Conclusion
The new Notes feature on Instagram lets you write a 60-character piece of text with emojis that appears at the top of the Chats tab for your followers. It disappears after 24 hours, when deleted, or when you write a new Note. You can use Notes to share information with your followers without getting lost in Stories or to encourage engagement. The best strategy will likely be to supplement other Instagram posts, Stories, and Reels with Notes.
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