Latest Instagram Trends: New Features Brands Should Know
With an average of one billion monthly users, Instagram has become a force to be reckoned with in the social media world. Between an ever-changing layout and a steady rollout of new features, Instagram continues to evolve for both individuals and brands.
Several features introduced in 2019 began shaping how the app is used—and many still influence strategy today. Below are some of the latest and greatest Instagram trends (and how they impact your content).
Instagram trends covered
- Using collages to display content
- Updated Explore tab
- Video seekbar
- Create Mode
- Donation sticker
- Removing “likes”
Using collages to display content
After Instagram introduced albums (multiple photos in one post), users started looking for even more creative ways to share content. Collages became increasingly popular—especially after Instagram launched its companion app, Layout.
Layout makes it easy to build and edit collages so you can upload them to your feed or Stories. Collages can increase visibility by showing multiple images at once, instead of requiring users to swipe through an album.
Updated Explore tab
Instagram updated the Explore tab to create a more personalized experience. A new navigation bar highlights shortcuts like Shopping and IGTV, with categories such as Travel, Art, and Food also available.
This update also added Stories to the Explore page. Explore recommendations now include posts and Stories based on your interests, helping users discover more accounts than ever before.
For brands that focus heavily on Stories, this is a big deal—because Explore visibility can put your Story content in front of new audiences who don’t follow you yet.
Video seekbar
Instagram introduced a video seekbar as a feature in testing, allowing users to scroll through feed videos to the part they want to watch. No more waiting for a video to restart and play through again.
While IGTV already had this function, this was a new step toward giving users more control over videos in the main feed.
Create Mode
A new camera design for Instagram Stories introduced Create Mode. This lets users create and post to Stories without uploading a photo first—making it faster to share text-based updates and creative posts.
Creative tools appear at the bottom of the screen, making stickers, effects, and other features easier to access while building content.
Donation sticker
Instagram’s donation sticker makes it easy to raise funds for nonprofit organizations directly through Stories. Add the sticker to an image, search for a nonprofit, and customize the fundraiser using built-in tools.
Viewers can tap Donate to contribute, and you can swipe up on your Story to see how much has been raised. This feature is a great way to build awareness for causes you care about while supporting fundraising efforts.
Removing “likes”
Another major update tested was removing public like counts on photos and view counts on videos. The original poster would still see totals, but others would not.
This feature was designed to reduce the stress and anxiety many users feel about “performing” online and to shift focus from competition to connection.
What these Instagram changes mean for brands
As Instagram continues evolving, executives have stated the platform will focus heavily on IGTV and Shopping. Combined with experiments like hiding likes, it’s clear Instagram will keep changing how people consume and interact with content.
But the core tactics for building and maintaining your brand remain the same:
- Define your ideal audience
- Create authentic and genuine posts
- Plan content ahead of time for consistency
- Maintain a cohesive brand look and message
Want help using Instagram to boost your brand?
If you’d like to learn more about Instagram trends—or build a strategy that supports real growth—Jus B Media is here to help. Contact us today to learn more.
