How to Add Highlights on Instagram
You have seen them before. Those neat little circles sitting pretty below an Instagram bio. Some call them aesthetic, some call them smart branding, but in reality, they are both. If you have ever asked yourself how to add highlights on Instagram and actually use them to create impact, then this guide is for you. For more Instagram tips and tricks, check out this Instagram guide to improve your presence.
Let us break it all down — how to do it, why it matters, what to avoid, and how to turn those circles into your own personal highlight real.
Why Instagram Highlights Matter More Than You Think
Instagram stories vanish after twenty four hours. But your message, your content, and your value do not have to. That is exactly what highlights are for. They help you extend the life of your stories and present them as curated, evergreen content right on your profile.
Here is what you unlock when you use highlights intentionally
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New visitors instantly understand who you are and what you offer
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You can showcase your expertise, creativity, or product range
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You build trust with repeatable, visual proof of your work or personality
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You control the narrative — people see what you want them to see
It does not matter if you are a creator, business owner, or casual user. Highlights make your profile feel complete and thoughtfully designed.
How to Add Highlights on Instagram Step by Step
There are two easy ways to create highlights. One is directly from your story while it is still active. The other is from your archived stories. You can do both from your mobile device within minutes.
Add Highlights from an Active Story
One of the fastest ways to add a highlight is immediately after posting a story. Here is how
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Open Instagram and post your story as usual
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Once it is live, view the story
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Tap Highlight in the bottom right corner
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Choose an existing highlight or tap New
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Type a name for your highlight and tap Add
This story is now saved permanently on your profile under that highlight
Add Highlights from Your Story Archive
Missed the live story window No problem. As long as your archive settings are on, you can pull up any past story and add it to a new or existing highlight
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Go to your profile
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Tap the plus icon underneath your bio under Story Highlights
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Select the stories you want to include from your archive
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Tap Next
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Name your highlight
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Choose a cover image or icon
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Tap Done
You now have a fresh new highlight circle live on your profile
If you need help accessing your archive or want to learn more about how Instagram story archives work, the Instagram Help Center on Story Archives is a great place to start.
What to Put in Your Highlights That Actually Adds Value
The mistake many people make is just saving random content to their highlights without intention. Think of these circles like a content showcase. What do you want people to see first What should they know about you right away
Here are a few highlight ideas that tend to perform well
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About Me to introduce who you are or what your brand stands for
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Tutorials or How To guides that teach something useful
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Behind the Scenes content that reveals your process or personality
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Frequently Asked Questions to save time answering DMs
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Reviews or Testimonials for social proof
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Travel, Food, Fitness or other niche content categories
The key is to group stories in a way that makes sense. Think quality over quantity.
Make Your Instagram Highlights Look Professional and Cohesive
Your profile is your visual business card. While the content inside your highlights is important, the way they look matters too. People are more likely to tap on a highlight that looks clean, organized, and branded.
Follow these visual best practices
Keep your covers consistent in style and color Use design tools like Canva to create your own icons or images Limit your highlight names to one or two words for clarity Avoid overcrowding your profile with too many circles
Need help creating professional looking covers You can use the free tool Canva for Instagram Highlight Covers which offers simple drag and drop templates.
Also remember to update your highlights every so often to keep them fresh and relevant. An old highlight with outdated info is worse than having none at all.
How to Edit or Delete Highlights When You Need a Refresh
You are not stuck with your first draft. Highlights are easy to edit, reorganize, or remove entirely. Here is how
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Go to your profile
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Tap the highlight you want to edit
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Tap the three dots in the bottom corner and select Edit Highlight
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From here, you can rename it, add or remove stories, or change the cover
To delete a highlight altogether, just go back to the three dot menu and select Delete Highlight
Editing is simple and lets you keep your content aligned with your current voice, brand, or vibe
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Highlights
Many users overlook the impact highlights can have by making these avoidable mistakes
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Adding random stories with no theme or connection
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Using low quality images or video clips
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Skipping a custom cover image
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Overloading each highlight with too many stories
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Leaving outdated information visible for months
Remember, highlights are the first thing someone sees when they visit your profile. Use that space wisely.
The Deeper Psychology Behind Why Highlights Work
Highlights work not just because they are useful, but because they are strategic. Humans are visual. We process images faster than words. Highlights tap into that instinct. They act like a mini homepage that speaks before you do.
They also create trust. A clean, curated set of highlights tells people you are active, intentional, and organized. That trust can lead to more followers, more engagement, and if you are in business, more conversions.
In short, they are not just cute design elements. They are digital credibility markers.
Now that you know how to add highlights on Instagram, you also know it is not just about the how. It’s about the why. Why should someone click. Why should they follow you? Why should they careThe answer lies in how well you tell your story. Highlights are your chance to do that in seconds. They give your Instagram a soul, structure, and a deeper sense of identity.
Whether you are a brand, creator, or just someone who loves sharing moments, highlights help you stay remembered in a world full of swipes and scrolls.Ready to get started Take a look at your archive. See what deserves a second life. Then begin creating highlights that are worth highlighting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Instagram Highlights
Can I add a story to highlights without anyone seeing it
Yes. You can post a story and immediately hide it from all your followers using the Close Friends list. Then add it to a highlight privately.
How long do Instagram highlights last
Highlights do not expire. They stay on your profile until you remove them manually.
Can I rearrange the order of my highlights
You cannot drag and drop them into a new order, but adding a new story to an older highlight will push it to the front.
Will people know if I add their tagged story to a highlight
If you were tagged in the original story, yes. If you add it from your own archive, no one is notified.
Is there a limit to how many highlights I can create
Instagram does not list a hard limit, but too many can clutter your profile. Keeping it under ten is generally best.
Can I upload a photo directly to a highlight
No. You must first upload it to your story, then add it to a highlight. You can immediately delete the story after if you do not want it seen publicly.