The world of social media apps is in a bit of flux at the moment, given all of the turmoils and tribulations taking place with Twitter. There are a few alternatives that have cropped up, but Instagram is one of the mainstays that seems to be gaining a bit more traction. Because of this, and in an effort to entice new users, Instagram has introduced a few new features, including the all-new Instagram Notes.
As part of its latest round of updates, Instagram Notes was added to the app as Meta continues to “borrow” popular features found in competing apps. Given the ongoing issues with Twitter following its acquisition by Elon Musk, Instagram now makes it possible to send a different type of message compared to traditional direct messages (or DMs.)
With Instagram Notes, there are a few limitations, as you can only send messages that are up to 60 characters long. These include both text and emoji, falling quite a bit short of the 280-character limit from Twitter and the 500-character limit on Mastodon.
Additionally, if you want to use Instagram Notes, these will only be shared with “followers you follow back or people on your Close Friends list”. So instead of being shared to your regular timeline, they will only appear in the Direct Messages section of the Instagram app on your iPhone.
How to Use Instagram Notes
Sometimes when social media apps add new features, there’s always a chance that the feature is difficult and potentially frustrating, to use. Thankfully, this isn’t an issue with the new Instagram Notes feature, especially if you’re used to interacting with other Instagram users through the Direct Messages functionality.
Open the Instagram app on your iPhone (or iPad).
In the top right corner, tap the Messages bubble icon.
At the top of the page, you’ll see your profile image on the left side.
Tap the + icon in the top right corner to “Leave a note”.
Type out what you want to have shared in the text box that says “Share what’s on your mind.”
Under the Share with section, select one of the following:
Followers you follow back
Close Friends
If you choose Close Friends, tap the > icon next to 0 people.
Select your Close Friends from the list of options.
Tap the Done button.
After making your selections and entering your Instagram Notes, tap the Share icon in the top right corner.
Now, the message will appear as a chat bubble at the top of your profile image. Those that you have selected to see the message will be able to view and reply to it from their Direct Messages page within the app.
Instagram Notes is another form of communication designed to bring you closer to those you follow and like-minded users on the platform. While the 60-character limit is a bit of a bummer, we wouldn’t be surprised to see an update in the future that expands this even further.
Andrew Myrick is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US. He enjoys everything to do with technology, including tablets, smartphones, and everything in between. Perhaps his favorite past-time is having a never-ending supply of different keyboards and gaming handhelds that end up collecting more dust than the consoles that are being emulated.
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