Instagram Notes is Growing at a ‘Wild’ Pace: Here’s How to Use the Feature Strategically

Ever noticed those little bubbles atop certain people’s profile pictures in your DMs? Those are Instagram Notes, and — despite a slow uptake on the platform — they’re starting to gain traction. 

“Notes usage has grown at a wild pace, particularly with young people,” Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri shared in an update on Instagram. 

“Notes have quickly become a popular way for people to share thoughts or status updates with their Close Friends or people who follow them back. They're sort of like AIM status, for those of you old enough to remember that reference,” he joked. 

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A post shared by Adam Mosseri (@mosseri)

Mosseri also pointed out in the update that notes are designed for “starting conversations with people you care about” and are, as such, only visible to people you follow and who follow you back. 

And there’s the rub: why should brands or creators care about this friends-and-family feature?

Well, for one thing, Instagram’s inbox is a well-traveled section of the social media app, particularly for younger Instagram users. Having your name and a message atop that important real estate on the crowded platform could give your content a helpful boost.

In this comprehensive guide to Instagram Notes, I’ll explain exactly how — and why notes is a new feature not to be ignored as grow your following on Instagram.

Wait, what are Instagram Notes?

As Adam Mosseri explained above, Instagram Notes are little updates you can share with mutual followers that appear in Instagram’s direct messages section. 

Like Instagram Stories, Instagram Notes last 24 hours, after which they disappear. Notes can be up to 60 characters long, and you can only share one note at a time. 

When the feature rolled out on Android and iPhone in 2022, it was limited to text-only, but now users have a host of options, including music, videos, and even replies. Here’s how Mosseri explains it:

1. Music note: Share your current favorite song or one that captures your mood
2. Video note: Tap the photo in your notes tray to record a two-second video to post as a note
3. Replies: Respond to a friend’s note using audio, photo, GIFS, and stickers
4. Likes and mentions: You can now like a note or mention a friend in one

These options are still being rolled out to all regions — so if you don’t have the ability yet, you should soon!

How to use Instagram Notes

Viewing others’ notes on Instagram is simple — just head over to your DMs or inbox. You can get there within the Instagram app by tapping on the little message icon (either a paper plane or a speech bubble, depending on your region) on the top right-hand corner of your screen.

How to create an Instagram Note 

Creating a new note only requires a few extra taps. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

• Tap on the DMs icon on the top right corner of your screen. 

• Tap ‘Note…’ above your profile picture at the top of your Instagram inbox.

• Type in your note (1). To add music, tap the audio icon (2). To add a video, tap your profile picture (2) and then the blue button at the bottom to begin recording your video. Videos can only be two seconds long. 

• Choose who to share your note with (followers that you follow back or your close friends list).

• Tap Share in the top right to share your note.

How to delete an Instagram Note

The note will disappear after 24 hours, but you can delete it at any time. To delete your Instagram note, simply tap on the note, then hit ‘Delete note.’

How to leave a note on an Instagram post or Instagram reel

Instagram recently introduced a clever new way to add a note to another piece of Instagram content. For personal Instagram users, this is a neat way to share content with a comment without having to navigate over to your inbox. 

To use this feature on a post or reel: