What you need to know about Instagram story comments
Instagram has recently introduced a new feature allowing users to comment directly on Instagram Stories, enhancing interaction within this ephemeral content format. Here’s what you need to know about Instagram Story comments:
- Visibility and Interaction: Comments on Instagram Stories are visible only to the followers of the account that posted the Story. However, there’s a twist for who can leave comments; only mutual followers (people you follow back) can comment. This design aims to foster a more genuine interaction environment, potentially reducing unwanted or troll-like behavior.
- Privacy and Control: Users have the option to disable comments on their Stories if they prefer not to have this feature enabled. This control can be applied on a per-Story basis, giving users flexibility over which content invites comments.
- Duration: Like the Stories themselves, comments on Stories also disappear after 24 hours, maintaining the transient nature of this feature.
- Engagement Features: Beyond comments, Instagram Stories continue to support other forms of engagement like sending direct messages (DMs) in response to a Story or a comment. There’s also an option to send a DM directly from a comment by swiping left on the comment and tapping the DM icon.
- Visual Cues: When there are comments on a Story, small profile images of the commenters appear at the bottom of the Story icon, signaling to viewers that there’s interaction to see.
- Anti-Trolling Measures: Instagram’s approach with Story comments includes measures to combat trolling, such as restricting comment visibility and interaction to followers and mutuals only. This move reflects Instagram’s ongoing efforts to make the platform more positive and less prone to negative interactions.
- Strategic Implications: The introduction of comments on Stories could be part of a broader strategy by Instagram to evolve how users engage with Stories, possibly hinting at future features like a dedicated tab for Story Highlights or more interactive elements within Stories.
This feature update not only changes how users can engage with Stories but also reflects Instagram’s continuous evolution to keep its platform dynamic and engaging, encouraging more community interaction while trying to maintain a positive user experience.
