Instagram is once again shaking things up with an exciting new feature that allows users to leave comments on Instagram Stories—a space that has become even more popular than traditional posts. This is a big shift from how Stories used to work. Previously, any interaction with a Story resulted in a private message to the user who posted it. Now, you can leave a comment directly on the Story itself, opening up a more public way to engage with content. This feature is perfect for those who love the interactivity of Stories but want a more communal way to connect with followers.
This update, which was first reported by The Verge, is a bold move by the Meta-owned platform to encourage more engagement and conversation in real-time. But before you get too excited, there’s a bit of a catch. Instagram has designed the commenting feature to be somewhat limited—it’s only available to users who follow each other. So, no commenting on your favorite celebrity’s Story unless they happen to follow you back! But for close-knit friend groups, influencers, and brands with their community, this adds a fresh layer of interaction.
How Does It Work?
According to Instagram spokesperson Emily Norfolk, comments on Stories will work similarly to the Stories themselves—temporary and fleeting. Just like Stories disappear after 24 hours, so do the comments. But what makes this even better? You can toggle comments on or off for any Story you post. Want to have a quick burst of public feedback or a more private sharing experience? It’s up to you. While we don’t yet know whether these comments will be archived, it’s clear that this feature gives more flexibility to how users interact with Stories. It’s also a continuation of Instagram’s focus on short-lived, interactive content, following in the footsteps of their disappearing “notes” feature for grid posts and Reels.
Why Is This Update Important?
The ability to comment on Stories publicly is a game-changer. It brings a fresh dynamic to Instagram, making the platform feel even more like a real-time conversation rather than just a stream of passive content. Instagram’s goal is clearly to foster a deeper connection between users, whether they’re influencers engaging with their followers or friends having casual chats. For those who rely heavily on Stories to communicate—especially content creators—this opens up a new avenue for direct feedback and interaction, which could lead to even more creative use of Stories in the future.
Additionally, Instagram is also rolling out other visual updates like floating hearts for certain likes, which mirrors how they appear on disappearing notes. These updates reflect Instagram’s ongoing effort to focus on engagement, creating a more immersive experience for users.
In short, Instagram’s new ‘Stories’ feature promises to enhance the way we communicate and interact on the platform. Whether you’re catching up with friends or following your favorite influencers, this feature makes it easier to engage and stay connected in a meaningful way.
