For those who are new to Instagram, it may be helpful to familiarize yourself with the terminology used on the platform. In this article, we aim to provide an explanation of the language of Instagram.

Instagram is widely recognized as one of the most popular social media platforms worldwide. Its visually appealing layout and content make it an excellent tool for gaining inspiration, as well as keeping up with the activities of your friends. However, as a newcomer to the app, you may encounter various terms and concepts that you are not yet familiar with.

Therefore, to assist you in using Instagram more efficiently, we have curated a list of essential terms that you should be aware of.

Bio

In Instagram, “Bio” refers to the short description of a user’s profile. It appears at the top of the profile, under the username and profile picture. The Bio is an opportunity for users to give a brief introduction of themselves or their brand and to provide important information such as their name, location, website, or contact information. Instagram Bios can be up to 150 characters in length, and users can also include emojis, hashtags, and links to other profiles or websites. A well-crafted Bio can help users attract more followers, promote their brand or business, and provide a quick snapshot of who they are and what they do.

An Instagram bio is a short 150 character summary about yourself or your business, displayed to other users underneath your profile photo. Your bio is commonly the first engagement you have with your audience. Your Instagram bio includes a 150 character description that may include contact information or other relevant details about you and your business, one website or external link, a display name, which you can customize separately from your handle (i.e. John Doe and @johndoe, respectively), and your Instagram verification badge, if applicable.

Stories

An Instagram Story is an in-app feature that allows users to post photos or videos that automatically disappear within 24 hours. They appear in a vertical format and are fast, memorable, and fun by design. Instagram Story Highlights are collections of saved Instagram Stories that live on a user’s profile. Brands and content creators often use Highlights to give their content a second life and add another element of curation to their profile.

In Instagram, “Stories” refer to a feature that allows users to share photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours. Instagram Stories appear at the top of the user’s feed and are presented in a slideshow format, with each slide representing a different photo or video.

Instagram Stories provide users with a way to share more casual and ephemeral content, such as behind-the-scenes glimpses, daily activities, or spontaneous moments. Users can add various creative elements to their stories, such as stickers, text overlays, filters, and music. They can also tag other users, add location or mention tags, and respond to stories through direct messages.

Instagram Stories have become an essential part of the platform, with over 500 million daily active users. They offer a way for users to express themselves more authentically and creatively, connect with their followers, and increase their visibility on the platform.

Mention

Mentioning someone on Instagram means adding a direct link to the Instagram user’s profile page in a story or a comment. Whenever you mention someone on Instagram, the user receives a notification informing them of this mention. This is also known as tagging on Instagram.

In Instagram, “Mention” refers to the act of tagging another user in a post or story by including their username with the @ symbol. When a user is mentioned in a post or story, they receive a notification and can see the content that they were tagged in.

Mentions can be used in various ways, such as:

1. Tagging a friend or follower in a post or story to give them credit or to share something with them.
2. Mentioning a brand or influencer in a post to get their attention or to show support for their products or services.
3. Mentioning multiple users in a post or story to start a conversation or to create a sense of community.

Mentions can also be used in Instagram comments, where users can tag other users to draw their attention to a specific comment or to engage in a conversation. However, it’s important to use mentions appropriately and not to spam other users, as this can be seen as annoying or intrusive.

Tag

Tagging, the act of creating a “tag” on Instagram, is when a person attaches a specific label to a post, picture, video, or status that groups it with other content that uses the same label. Tags are a convenient way for individuals and businesses to expand the reach of a message or photo on Instagram.

In Instagram, “Tag” refers to the act of adding descriptive labels to posts or stories to categorize them and make them more discoverable by other users. There are two types of tags in Instagram: Hashtags and User Tags.

• Hashtags: A hashtag is a keyword or phrase preceded by the # symbol. When a user adds a hashtag to a post or story, it becomes searchable and can be seen by anyone who searches for that particular hashtag. Users can click on a hashtag to see all the posts and stories that are associated with it. Hashtags can be used for various purposes, such as to join a conversation, to promote a brand or event, or to categorize content by theme or topic.
• User Tags: A User Tag is when a user tags another user in a post or story by including their username with the @ symbol. User Tags notify the tagged user and also link to their profile, making it easy for other users to discover and follow them. User Tags can be used for various purposes, such as to give credit, to collaborate with other users, or to highlight a particular user’s content.

Tags can be a powerful tool for increasing visibility and engagement on Instagram. By using relevant hashtags and tagging other users in posts or stories, users can reach a wider audience and connect with other like-minded users.

IG Live

IG Live is a feature on Instagram that allows users to broadcast live video to their followers in real-time. When you start a live video, your followers will receive a notification that you are live, and they can tune in to watch and interact with you in real-time. You can also save your live video to your Instagram Story for 24 hours after the broadcast ends.

IG Live is a feature on Instagram that allows users to broadcast live video content to their followers in real-time. The purpose of IG Live is to provide a way for users to engage with their audience in a more personal and interactive way, by sharing their thoughts, experiences, or creative work in real-time.

To use IG Live, you can tap on the camera icon in the top left corner of your Instagram home screen and then select the “Live” option at the bottom of the screen. You can then start broadcasting your live video to your followers, who will receive a notification that you are live and can tune in to watch and engage with you in real-time.

During the broadcast, viewers can like and comment on the video, and the broadcaster can respond to comments and questions. This can create a two-way dialogue between the broadcaster and their audience, making it a more interactive and engaging experience for both parties.

IG Live can be used for a variety of purposes, such as hosting Q&A sessions, sharing behind-the-scenes content, showcasing creative work, or promoting products or services. It can also be a great way to build a stronger connection with your audience by sharing your thoughts and experiences in a more personal and authentic way.

Reels

Instagram Reels is a feature of Instagram that allows users to create short videos between 15 and 30 seconds in length. In addition to recording short clips, Instagram Reels also lets users edit, remix, and add effects and audio to their reels. With Instagram Reels, you can now create and watch short, entertaining videos anytime.

Reels is a feature in Instagram that allows users to create and share short-form videos, up to 60 seconds long. Reels can include various effects, filters, and music to make them more engaging and entertaining.

The feature was launched in August 2020 as a response to the growing popularity of TikTok, a similar short-form video app. Reels allows Instagram users to create and share videos that are discoverable in the Reels section of the app, as well as on the user’s profile and in the main Instagram feed.

Reels has become a popular feature among Instagram users, particularly younger generations who enjoy creating and sharing short, creative videos. The feature has also been used by businesses and influencers to showcase products, promote services, and reach a wider audience.

Highlights

Instagram Highlights are essentially the Instagram stories you choose to feature on your profile permanently. If you add a story to a Highlight, it will be visible even after 24 hours, so it’s a great way to keep your most successful stories running. Highlights are a fantastic Instagram feature you should be using.

“Highlights” is a feature in Instagram that allows users to save and showcase their Stories even after the 24-hour expiration period. Stories that are added to Highlights remain on the user’s Instagram profile until they decide to remove them.

Users can create different categories or albums in their Highlights, such as “Travel,” “Food,” or “Workouts,” to organize their saved Stories. This feature enables users to curate and display their most important or popular Stories on their profile, making them easily accessible to their followers.

To add a Story to Highlights, a user needs to click on the “Highlight” button after creating or uploading a Story. They can then select an existing category or create a new one. Once added to Highlights, the Story will appear at the top of the user’s profile, below their bio.

DM

DM stands for Direct Message. It is a private messaging feature on Instagram that allows users to send messages to each other without having to post to their public profiles. You can send a direct message to anyone on Instagram, as long as they have not blocked you.

DM stands for “Direct Message,” which is a private messaging feature on Instagram. It allows users to send private messages to other users who follow them or who they have previously messaged.

The purpose of DMs is to provide a more intimate and personal communication channel for users who want to have private conversations or share content that is not meant to be public. This can include anything from personal conversations to sharing photos or videos.

To use DMs on Instagram, you can tap on the paper airplane icon in the top right corner of the screen. From there, you can select the user you want to send a message to, type your message, and hit send. You can also send photos, videos, voice messages, and GIFs in DMs.

In addition to one-on-one conversations, Instagram also offers group DMs where you can chat with multiple users at once. This can be useful for coordinating events, sharing information with friends or coworkers, or just chatting with a group of people who share a common interest.

Instagram Algorithm

The Instagram algorithm is a set of instructions for how and when to display certain content to any individual user. The algorithm considers hundreds of factors such as user history, location, profile, device, trends, relevance, popularity etc. The algorithm is designed to show users the content that they are most likely to engage with, based on their past behavior on the platform.

The Instagram algorithm is a complex set of rules and calculations used by Instagram to determine what content to show users on their feed, stories, explore page, and other sections of the app. The algorithm is designed to personalize the user experience by showing them content that they are most likely to engage with and enjoy based on their past behavior and interests.

The Instagram algorithm takes into account a variety of factors when deciding what content to show, including:

• Engagement: The more engagement a post gets, such as likes, comments, shares, and saves, the more likely it is to be shown to other users.
• Relevancy: Instagram tries to show users content that is relevant to their interests and behavior, based on their past activity on the app.
• Timeliness: Instagram also prioritizes more recent posts over older ones, to keep users up-to-date on the latest content.
• Relationships: Instagram also takes into account the user’s relationships with other users, such as their frequent interactions with specific accounts, to determine what content to show.

Overall, the Instagram algorithm is designed to provide a more personalized and engaging experience for users, by showing them content that is most relevant and interesting to them. This means that businesses and content creators must focus on creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with their audience in order to succeed on the platform.

Instagram Bots

Instagram Bots are automation tools that automatically follow, like, comment, and engage with people of your niche. The ultimate goal of this particular automation tool is to save time as well as efforts by doing the following things. However, Instagram bots are not recommended as they violate Instagram’s terms of service and can lead to account suspension or even permanent ban.

Instagram bots are automated software programs designed to perform certain tasks on Instagram, such as liking, commenting, following, or unfollowing other users. These bots are usually created and used by businesses or individuals who want to grow their Instagram following quickly and efficiently, without spending too much time or effort.

However, using Instagram bots is against Instagram’s terms of service, and can result in your account being suspended or permanently banned. This is because bots can violate Instagram’s policies by engaging in spammy or fraudulent behavior, such as liking or commenting on irrelevant or inappropriate content, or following and unfollowing users in an indiscriminate manner.

Moreover, Instagram has taken strict measures to combat the use of bots on their platform by implementing algorithms that can detect and block suspicious activity, such as abnormal spikes in likes, follows, or comments.

Instead of using Instagram bots, businesses and individuals should focus on creating high-quality content that resonates with their target audience, using relevant hashtags and engaging with other users in a genuine and authentic manner. Building a loyal following on Instagram takes time and effort, but it is a more sustainable and effective approach than relying on automated bots.

Hashtags

Hashtags are a way to categorize content on Instagram. They are words or phrases preceded by the # symbol (e.g., #travel, #foodie, #fashion). When you add a hashtag to your post, it becomes searchable by other users who are interested in that topic. You can also follow hashtags to see posts from other users who have used that hashtag. Hashtags are a great way to increase the visibility of your posts and reach a wider audience on Instagram.

Hashtags are a way of categorizing and organizing content on Instagram. They consist of a word or phrase preceded by the # symbol, and they help users discover and explore content related to a specific topic or theme.

The purpose of hashtags on Instagram is to increase the visibility and reach of your content, by making it easier for other users to discover and engage with it. When you add a hashtag to your post or story, it becomes part of a larger conversation or community of users who are interested in that particular topic or theme.

To use hashtags on Instagram, you can simply include them in the caption or comments of your post or story. You can use up to 30 hashtags per post, but it’s important to use hashtags that are relevant to your content and target audience, and to avoid using spammy or irrelevant hashtags.

You can also search for and follow specific hashtags to discover new content related to your interests or industry. When you search for a hashtag on Instagram, you will see a feed of all the posts and stories that have used that hashtag, ranked by relevance and engagement.

Overall, hashtags are an effective way to increase the visibility and reach of your content on Instagram, and to connect with other users who share your interests or passions. By using relevant and targeted hashtags, you can attract new followers, engage with your audience, and build a stronger presence on the platform.

Mute

Muting someone on Instagram means you don’t want to see their content on your Instagram feed. Once you mute someone on Instagram, you won’t be able to see the posts and stories they post on your feed. However, they will still be able to see your posts, and you can visit each other’s account pages.

Mute is a feature on Instagram that allows users to hide posts or stories from specific accounts without unfollowing them. The purpose of mute is to give users more control over the content they see on their feed or stories, without offending or hurting the feelings of other users.

When you mute an account on Instagram, you will no longer see their posts or stories on your feed or stories, but you will still remain their follower and can view their profile and interact with them through direct messages or comments. The other user will not be notified when you mute their account, and they will still be able to see your posts and stories on their feed or stories.

To mute an account on Instagram, you can simply go to their profile, tap on the three dots in the top right corner, and select the “Mute” option. You can then choose whether to mute their posts, stories, or both, and the account will be removed from your feed or stories.

Muting an account can be a useful feature for users who want to manage their content and focus on the accounts they really care about, without offending or unfollowing other users. It can also be a useful feature for managing the amount of content you see on your feed or stories, and for avoiding any posts or stories that might trigger negative emotions or reactions.

Block

Blocking someone on Instagram means that you take away any access to your account and content from the user. They can’t view your profile, contact you by private message, or interact in any way from their account.

Blocking is a feature on Instagram that allows users to prevent another user from seeing or interacting with their account. The purpose of blocking is to give users more control over their online interactions and to protect them from unwanted or harmful interactions from other users.

When you block a user on Instagram, they will no longer be able to see your profile, posts, or stories, and they will not be able to follow you or send you direct messages. They will also not be notified when you block them, but they may notice that they can no longer interact with your account.

To block a user on Instagram, you can go to their profile, tap on the three dots in the top right corner, and select the “Block” option. You can also block users from your followers or following lists, or from a comment on one of your posts.

Blocking is a useful feature for users who want to protect their privacy or avoid unwanted interactions with other users. It can also be useful for preventing harassment, bullying, or other harmful behavior on the platform. However, it’s important to use blocking responsibly and only as a last resort, as it can also lead to further conflicts or negative interactions with other users.

Report

Reporting someone on Instagram is relatively simple. You have the option to report an entire account, a specific post, a comment, a direct message, or a story. Reporting an account on the app does not allow for much detail from users about exactly what is inappropriate.

Reporting is a feature on Instagram that allows users to flag content or accounts that violate Instagram’s community guidelines or terms of service. The purpose of reporting is to help maintain a safe and respectful online environment on the platform, and to protect users from harmful or inappropriate content or behavior.

When you report a post, story, or account on Instagram, it will be reviewed by Instagram’s content moderation team, who will determine whether it violates the platform’s guidelines or terms of service. Depending on the severity of the violation, Instagram may remove the content or account, issue a warning or penalty to the user, or suspend or permanently ban the user from the platform.

To report a post, story, or account on Instagram, you can tap on the three dots in the top right corner of the post or profile, and select the “Report” option. You can then choose the reason for your report, such as spam, harassment, violence, or hate speech, and add any additional details or context to support your report.

Reporting is an important feature on Instagram that helps ensure the safety and well-being of users on the platform. By reporting inappropriate or harmful content or behavior, you can help prevent it from spreading and protect yourself and others from negative or harmful interactions on the platform.

Business Profile

A Business Profile on Instagram is a free feature for accounts wanting to be recognized as a business on Instagram. With a Business Profile, businesses can choose how they want their customers to get in touch with them: call, text or email with a tap of the contact button as well as get directions. Business Profiles also unlock access to insights and the ability to promote. Would you like more information on how to set up an Instagram Business Profile?

Instagram Business Profile is a feature on the Instagram platform that allows businesses to create an online presence and promote their products or services.

The purpose of Instagram Business Profile is to provide businesses with a set of tools and features to help them engage with their audience, analyze their performance, and promote their brand. With a business profile, companies can add contact information, such as a phone number or email address, and can also add links to their website or online store.

Some of the key features of an Instagram Business Profile include:

• Insights: Businesses can get access to data on their followers and how their posts are performing. This includes metrics such as reach, engagement, and impressions.
• Promotions: Instagram allows businesses to create and promote posts or stories to reach a larger audience.
• Direct messaging: Businesses can receive and reply to messages from their customers directly on the platform.
• Shopping: Businesses can also set up a shop on Instagram, allowing users to purchase products directly from the app.

To create an Instagram Business Profile, a business must first have an active Instagram account. From there, they can switch to a Business Profile by going to their profile settings and selecting “Switch to Business Profile.” They will then be prompted to fill out their contact information and select a category that best represents their business.

Overall, Instagram Business Profile is a powerful tool for businesses to increase their online presence, engage with their audience, and promote their products or services.

Insights

Instagram Insights is a tool that provides data on follower demographics and actions, as well as your content. This information makes it easy to compare content, measure campaigns, and see how individual posts are performing. You can use Instagram insights to learn more about your account’s followers and performance. You can also view insights on your audience’s engagement with specific posts, Stories, videos, Reels and Live videos. Would you like more information on how to use Instagram Insights?

To access Instagram Insights, you must have a Business Profile or a Creator Account. Once you have one of these accounts, you can access Insights in a few different ways:

• From your profile: Tap the menu icon in the top right corner of your profile and then tap Insights.
• From a post: Tap View Insights below the image or video.
• From a story: Swipe up on the screen while viewing your story.

Instagram Insights provides data on content, activity and audience. In the Content tab, you can see how your posts, stories and promotions are performing. In the Activity tab, you can learn what actions people take on your profile and how many people have seen your content. In the Audience tab, you can learn more about your followers and when they are most active on Instagram.

Insights is a feature on Instagram that provides users with analytics and data about their account’s performance and audience engagement. The purpose of Insights is to help users better understand their audience, track their content performance, and optimize their content strategy to achieve their goals.

Insights provide users with data such as the number of impressions, reach, engagement, and follower growth for their posts and stories, as well as information about their audience demographics, interests, and location. This data can help users identify trends and patterns in their content performance, as well as understand their audience’s preferences and behavior.

To access Insights on Instagram, you need to have a business or creator account. Once you have access, you can go to your profile, tap on the three lines in the top right corner, and select the “Insights” option. You can then view analytics for your posts, stories, and audience, and customize your data to track specific metrics or time periods.

Insights is a powerful tool for users who want to build a successful presence on Instagram and connect with their audience more effectively. By using Insights to track their content performance and audience engagement, users can make data-driven decisions about their content strategy, and improve their chances of reaching their goals on the platform.

Explore Page

The Explore page on Instagram is a collection of content based on a user’s individual interests. The Instagram algorithm curates content based on similar accounts or content interacted with. The Explore page includes photos, videos, Reels and even Stories.

The Explore Page is a section on Instagram that is dedicated to showing users content that is tailored to their interests. It is essentially a page that displays posts and stories from accounts that a user does not follow, but Instagram’s algorithm thinks they might be interested in.

The purpose of the Explore Page is to help users discover new accounts and content that they may not have otherwise found. It also helps businesses and creators reach new audiences and increase their engagement.

The Explore Page works by using Instagram’s algorithm to analyze a user’s behavior on the app, including the posts they like and comment on, the accounts they follow, and the hashtags they use. Based on this data, Instagram curates a personalized feed of content that it thinks the user will enjoy.

The content that appears on the Explore Page can include photos, videos, IGTV videos, and Stories. Instagram’s algorithm also takes into account the popularity and engagement of a post when deciding whether to feature it on the Explore Page.

Businesses can take advantage of the Explore Page by creating high-quality content that aligns with their target audience’s interests and by using relevant hashtags. By doing so, they can increase their chances of appearing on users’ Explore Pages, thereby increasing their visibility and engagement.

Carousel

An Instagram carousel is a post with up to 10 photos or videos that can be viewed by swiping left on mobile devices or clicking through using the arrow button on desktops1. When an IG carousel is published, a small square icon appears in the post’s upper right corner. As someone flips to the second image, the icon is replaced with a counter that indicates the number of frames. Small dots also appear at the bottom of a post to mark progress through the carousel.

Carousel is a feature on Instagram that allows users to post multiple photos or videos in a single post that can be swiped through by viewers. The purpose of Carousel is to give users more creative flexibility and storytelling opportunities on the platform, and to encourage more engagement and interaction with their content.

When you create a Carousel post on Instagram, you can select up to 10 photos or videos from your camera roll or Instagram library, and arrange them in the order you want them to appear. You can also apply filters, edit the photos or videos, and add captions and location tags to each individual photo or video in the post.

Carousel posts appear in the Instagram feed like regular posts, but viewers can swipe left or right to see the other photos or videos in the post. Each photo or video in the Carousel post can also be liked, commented on, or shared individually, which can help increase engagement and reach for your content.

Carousel is a useful feature for users who want to tell a more complex or detailed story, showcase multiple products or features, or create a more immersive and interactive experience for their audience. By using Carousel to share multiple photos or videos in a single post, users can capture their audience’s attention and encourage them to spend more time engaging with their content on the platform.

Follow

On Instagram, when you follow someone, you’ll see their posts in your feed. You’ll also get notifications when they post something new. This is a way to keep up with the content from accounts that you find interesting or engaging. You can follow friends, family members, celebrities, brands and more.

Following someone on Instagram means that you are subscribing to their account and their content will appear in your feed.

The purpose of following someone on Instagram is to stay up-to-date with their posts and stories, engage with their content, and build connections with other users. It also helps users to discover new content and accounts that they may be interested in.

When you follow someone on Instagram, their posts will appear in your home feed, which is the first screen that appears when you open the app. You can also see their stories at the top of your home feed, and their IGTV videos will appear in your IGTV section.

To follow someone on Instagram, you first need to find their account. You can do this by searching for their username or by discovering their content through hashtags or the Explore Page. Once you have found their account, simply tap the “Follow” button next to their name.

If the person has a public account, they will receive a notification that you have followed them, and their content will now appear in your feed. If their account is private, they will receive a request to approve your follow before you can see their content.

Instagram also allows you to unfollow someone at any time by simply tapping the “Following” button on their profile and selecting “Unfollow.” This will remove their content from your feed and stop any notifications from their account.

Archive

The Archive feature on Instagram allows you to hide photos and videos from your profile without deleting them. You can access your archived posts by going to your profile page and tapping the archive icon that looks like a clock face with an arrow wrapping around it pointing counter-clockwise. This feature is available as part of Instagram version 10.21 and above for iOS in the Apple App Store and for Android in Google Play.

Archive is a feature on Instagram that allows users to hide their posts from their profile without deleting them permanently. The purpose of Archive is to give users more control over their content and their online presence, and to allow them to curate their profile to reflect their current interests or personal brand.

When you archive a post on Instagram, it is removed from your profile and your followers’ feeds, but it is not deleted permanently. The post is stored in a private Archive folder that only you can see, and you can choose to unarchive it and restore it to your profile at any time.

To archive a post on Instagram, you can tap on the three dots in the top right corner of the post, and select the “Archive” option. You can also archive multiple posts at once by selecting them from your profile, tapping on the three dots, and choosing the “Archive” option.

Archive is a useful feature for users who want to clean up their profile, remove posts that no longer reflect their interests or personal brand, or hide posts that are no longer relevant or timely. By using Archive to manage their content, users can present a more curated and polished profile to their followers, and ensure that their online presence reflects their current goals and priorities on the platform.

Suggested

“Suggested” on Instagram refers to accounts or posts that Instagram believes you would be interested in based on your activity on the platform. This includes people you follow, hashtags you search for, posts you like and interact with, etc. This feature helps you discover new content and accounts that are relevant to your interests.

The “Suggested” feature on Instagram is a recommendation system that suggests accounts to follow based on your interests and activity on the platform. The purpose of the “Suggested” feature is to help users discover new accounts and content that they may be interested in, and to increase engagement and interaction on the platform.

The “Suggested” feature works by analyzing your activity on Instagram, such as the accounts you follow, the posts you like and comment on, and the hashtags you use. It then uses this information to recommend other accounts that are similar or related to your interests, or that are popular among other users who engage with similar content.

The “Suggested” feature can be found in different parts of the Instagram app, such as in the “Discover” section, the “Following” tab, or in notifications. When you see a suggested account, you can tap on it to view their profile and see their posts, and choose to follow them if you’re interested in their content.

The “Suggested” feature is a useful tool for users who want to discover new accounts and content on Instagram, or who want to increase their reach and engagement on the platform. By using the “Suggested” feature to find new accounts and connect with other users, users can expand their network and explore different communities and interests on the platform.

IGTV (Instagram Video)

IGTV (Instagram TV) is a feature on Instagram that allows users to upload long-form videos over 60 seconds. It was introduced in 2018 as a direct competitor to dedicated video-sharing services like YouTube and Vimeo 1. IGTV is accessible via the primary Instagram app as well as a separate app.

You can monetize your IGTV videos by running short ads on them. Instagram has introduced IGTV Ads as a way for creators to earn money from their content. Ads will appear when a user clicks to watch an IGTV video from the preview button in their feed and will be mobile-optimized, vertical videos that last up to 15 seconds long.

IGTV is a video platform on Instagram that allows users to upload and watch longer-form, vertical videos. The purpose of IGTV is to provide a space for creators, businesses, and users to share longer and more engaging video content on Instagram.

IGTV works by allowing users to upload videos that are between 15 seconds and 60 minutes in length. The videos are displayed in a vertical, full-screen format that is optimized for mobile viewing. Users can access IGTV through the Instagram app or by downloading the separate IGTV app.

To create an IGTV video, a user needs to first create a channel. This can be done by tapping the IGTV icon on their profile page and selecting “Create Channel.” Once a channel is created, the user can upload videos from their camera roll or record a new video within the app.

IGTV videos can be edited with filters and other creative tools, and users can also add captions, hashtags, and other metadata to help their videos be discovered by other users. Once the video is uploaded, it will be displayed on the user’s channel and in the IGTV feed, which is accessible from the Explore Page.

The purpose of IGTV is to provide a more engaging and immersive video experience for Instagram users. With longer videos, creators and businesses can tell more compelling stories and provide more in-depth content to their audiences. Additionally, IGTV provides a new opportunity for businesses to reach their target audience and promote their products or services on Instagram.

Shopping

A feature that allows users to discover and purchase products directly from their favorite brands and creators on Instagram. The Shopping feature on Instagram allows customers to browse through a business’s product list and make purchases without leaving the app. Businesses can share pictures and videos of their products via Instagram feed, Stories, Reels, and ad campaigns – basically, all Instagram posts.

Some of the main Instagram Shopping features include: Instagram Checkout, Instagram Live Shopping, Shopping Sticker on Instagram Stories, Product Tags in Posts, and Instagram Shopping Tab.

The “Shopping” feature on Instagram is a feature that allows businesses to tag products in their posts and stories, and enables users to purchase those products directly from the app. The purpose of the “Shopping” feature is to create a more seamless and convenient shopping experience for users, and to provide businesses with a new way to promote and sell their products on the platform.

The “Shopping” feature works by allowing businesses to create a product catalog on Instagram, and to tag their products in their posts and stories using the product tags feature. When a user taps on a product tag, they are taken to a product page within the app, where they can view more information about the product, such as pricing and availability, and complete the purchase directly from the app.

To use the “Shopping” feature on Instagram, businesses need to have an Instagram Business account, and they need to set up a product catalog using Facebook Commerce Manager or a partner integration. Once the product catalog is set up, businesses can start tagging their products in their posts and stories, and track their sales and performance using the Instagram Insights tool.

The “Shopping” feature is a useful tool for businesses who want to promote and sell their products on Instagram, and for users who want to discover and purchase products directly from the app. By using the “Shopping” feature to tag and promote their products, businesses can increase their reach and engagement on the platform, and provide a more convenient and seamless shopping experience for their customers.

Filters

A feature that allows users to enhance their photos and videos with creative filters and effects. The Filters feature on Instagram allows you to edit your photos with one click by applying pre-set edits to your image. Filters can change the colors and shading of your photos, making them brighter or adding thicker shadows. Some filters can even remove all color from a picture and make it look gray.

To use filters on a post, tap the plus sign icon at the top of your homepage or profile, then tap Post. Select the photo or video you want to upload and tap Next in the top-right. You’ll be able to scroll through filters at the bottom and select one by tapping on it.

Some of the most popular filters on Instagram include Clarendon, which cools down your shot by increasing saturation and contrast , Gingham, Juno, Lark, Mayfair, Sierra, Valencia and Walden. Another popular filter is Lo-fi, which increases saturation and intensifies shadows to make images more dramatic and dark.

The “Filter” feature on Instagram is a feature that allows users to apply different visual effects to their photos and videos, such as changing the color tone, adding borders, or applying special effects. The purpose of the “Filter” feature is to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the content, and to provide users with creative tools to express their vision and style on the platform.

The “Filter” feature works by allowing users to select from a variety of pre-designed filters, which are available in the Instagram camera or in the editing tools. Users can also create their own custom filters using the Spark AR Studio, a software developed by Facebook that allows creators to design and publish their own augmented reality effects on Instagram.

To use the “Filter” feature on Instagram, users can take a photo or record a video using the Instagram camera, and then select the filter they want to apply from the available options. Users can also adjust the intensity of the filter using the sliding bar, and combine multiple filters to create a unique look.

The “Filter” feature is a popular tool among Instagram users, particularly those who want to create visually appealing and cohesive content on the platform. By using the “Filter” feature to enhance their photos and videos, users can create a distinct and recognizable style on their profile, and attract more followers and engagement. Additionally, the “Filter” feature is often used by brands and influencers to promote their products and services, and to create sponsored content that aligns with their brand image and message.

Close Friends

A feature that allows users to share their Stories with a select group of friends. The Close Friends feature on Instagram allows you to create a private list of users who can see your stories. It’s like a VIP club made up solely of the users you want. When you post a story and select this feature, only the accounts on your Close Friends list will be able to see it.

To use this feature, tap your profile picture in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Then select the menu button in the top-right corner and choose Close Friends from the vertical menu. You should see a list of suggested users to add to your Close Friends list. You can also use the Search field at the top to quickly locate and add a specific person.

The “Close Friends” feature in Instagram allows users to create a list of followers who will have exclusive access to their private stories. The purpose of this feature is to enable users to share more personal or sensitive content with a select group of people.

When a user creates a “Close Friends” list, they can add or remove followers as needed. Only the users who have been added to the list will be able to see the private stories that are shared with this group. The private stories will have a green circle around them, indicating that they are only visible to the user’s “Close Friends” list.

The “Close Friends” feature can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as sharing behind-the-scenes content, exclusive promotions, or personal updates with a select group of people. It also allows users to maintain more control over who sees their content, especially if they have a large following or share sensitive information.

Overall, the “Close Friends” feature in Instagram provides a way for users to share more personal or exclusive content with a select group of people, while still maintaining a public presence on the platform.

Saved

A feature that allows users to save posts they like and organize them into collections for easy access later. The “Saved” feature on Instagram allows users to save posts they like by tapping the bookmark icon in the bottom right-hand corner of any Instagram post. Saved posts can be found by navigating to your Instagram profile, clicking on the hamburger menu, and then tapping “Saved”. You can take photos/videos and save them in a personal library for later that isn’t shared or viewable with anyone else.

The “Saved” feature in Instagram allows users to save photos and videos to a private section of their account, which they can access later. The purpose of this feature is to enable users to save and organize content they find interesting or inspiring.

When a user saves a post, the content is added to a private collection that they can access by tapping the profile icon, then tapping the three lines icon in the top right corner, and selecting “Saved” from the menu. Users can create multiple collections for different types of content and easily add or remove posts from them.

The “Saved” feature can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as bookmarking recipes, saving workout routines, or collecting travel inspiration. It also allows users to revisit content they may not have had time to fully engage with at the time they first saw it.

Overall, the “Saved” feature in Instagram provides a way for users to curate and organize the content they enjoy on the platform, making it easier to revisit and enjoy later.

Ads

A feature that allows businesses to promote their products or services through sponsored posts. The Ads feature on Instagram allows businesses to promote their products or services through sponsored posts that contain images, videos, carousels (multiple images), or collections (dynamic product galleries). Instagram ads look similar to normal posts but always contain a “Sponsored” label to indicate that they are an ad. They also often have more features than a normal post, such as links, CTA buttons, and product tags. Is there anything else you would like to know?

The “Ads” feature in Instagram allows businesses and individuals to create paid advertisements on the platform to reach a wider audience.

The purpose of Instagram Ads is to promote products, services, or content to a specific target audience in a visually appealing way. Instagram Ads can be in the form of photo or video posts, stories, or carousels. Advertisers can also choose to place their ads in different locations on Instagram, such as the home feed, explore page, and reels.

The Instagram Ads platform works on an auction-based system, where advertisers bid to have their ads displayed to their target audience. Advertisers can set a budget and define their target audience based on factors such as age, gender, location, interests, and behaviors. Instagram Ads also offer various ad formats, such as image ads, video ads, carousel ads, and story ads.

Overall, the Ads feature in Instagram is a powerful tool for businesses and individuals to increase their visibility, attract more followers, and drive sales or conversions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Instagram is a great platform for sharing your photos and videos with your friends and followers. However, it can be quite confusing for new users due to the various terms and features that are specific to the app. This article has provided a comprehensive list of the most essential Instagram terms, which should make it easier for you to navigate the app and start sharing your content to the world. So go ahead and explore Instagram with confidence, and don’t forget to use these essential terms to enhance your experience on the platform.

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