New Instagram features seem never ending, but few updates truly hit the mark. Time and time again, I am disappointed by what Instagram’s new features have to offer. Take, for instance, the recent 4 by 3 picture ratios, the quirky notes, the inconsistent algorithm feed, and so much more. Instagram has fallen short on addressing the core needs for users like me and you, who crave functionality over flashy updates.
So today, here are some new features Instagram should actually consider to truly enhance their user experience.
- Doesn’t show up on other people’s feeds button
You’ve probably heard of this one before. Numerous Instagram users have asked for a button with the ability to post something without it showing up in others’ feeds. Sure, there’s a way around it – posting something, quickly archiving it, and then unarchiving it – but this process is far from ideal. For all the users of Instagram who just want to add photos that will make their page look more aesthetic and cohesive, a button that allows a post to show up on your page without it going publicly to everyone else would be a game changer.
2. Commenting on Stories without entering DMs
Do you ever have those times when you really want to comment a thought or reaction on someone’s story, but not exactly engage in a full conversation about it? This feature would be perfect. For people like me who want to engage but prefer to keep things lighthearted, the current instagram sliding-up system seems too intrusive. By having this feature, it could really help users who appreciate a more casual, low pressure way to interact with content.
3. Preview Posts
Every Time before I post, I spend a lot more time than probably needed to try to figure out which photo I should use as a cover that will fit the aesthetic of my feed best. If Instagram could have a feature that previews what the post will look like on the profile, it could increase the efficiency for users by lot’s of minutes, if not hours.
4. Color matching
For many, Instagram is a place to display not only pretty photos and memories, but also one’s taste in art and aesthetic. For those who meticulously curate their profiles to make sure everything is cohesive, color matching is so essential. A built-in tool that allows users to adjust their photo’s color schemes instead of having to jump over to photoshop to try to edit the photo colors, would be especially helpful to many influencers and businesses.
5. Clickable links in caption
The last thing on the list for today is clickable links. Especially for kids in school who run instagram accounts for clubs, the current Instagram system can be kind of annoying. Because Instagram doesn’t allow for clickable links in the captions, it forces users to rely on the “link in bio” way to streamline viewers to another page. Clickable links would simplify this process and make it so much easier for users to drive traffic to external sites.
In totality, with all the merits Instagram brings, there are improvements many users like me still want to see. As such, Instagram has enormous potential to improve its platform by focusing on features that genuinely enhance the user’s experience. I hope one day, some of these suggestions will finally be in the new updates.
