Want to make your Instagram profile pop? Adding Highlights is a super fun and easy way to do it. You can show off your favorite Stories, keep them alive forever, and organize them into cute little folders right under your bio!
If you’ve seen those colorful circles on people’s profiles and wondered how to make your own, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through everything, step by step.
What Are Instagram Highlights?
Instagram Highlights are curated collections of your Stories. Normally, Stories disappear after 24 hours. But when you save them to a Highlight, they stay on your profile forever (or until you remove them).
You can create several Highlights. Think of them as cool folders that your followers can click through. Travel pics? Food adventures? Behind the scenes? Make a Highlight for each one!
Before You Start
Before you can make a Highlight, make sure you’ve added some Stories. You can’t create Highlights without them!
Okay, ready? Let’s go!
Step-by-Step Guide to Add Instagram Highlights
Step 1: Post a Story
If you haven’t already, post the content you want in your Highlight as an Instagram Story. Here’s how:
- Open Instagram
- Tap on your profile picture or the “+” icon on the top left
- Choose “Story”
- Snap a photo, take a video, or upload something from your gallery
- Tap “Your Story” to post it
Give it a couple of seconds to upload. Once it’s live, you can move on to the next step.
Step 2: Create a Highlight From a Live Story
This is the easiest way to create a Highlight if your Story is still live (within 24 hours).
- Go to your Story by tapping your profile picture
- While viewing the Story, tap the “Highlight” button at the bottom
- Choose an existing Highlight or tap “New” to make a new one
- Give your Highlight a name like “Trip to Paris” or “Yummy Eats”
- Tap “Add” — done!
That’s it! Your Story will now live on in your new Highlight. Followers can view it even after 24 hours.
Step 3: Create a Highlight From Archived Stories
Missed the 24-hour window? No worries. Instagram saves your Stories to an archive so you can still turn them into Highlights.
- Go to your Profile page
- Tap the “+” icon under your bio, where Highlights are shown
- This opens your Story Archive
- Select the Stories you want to add
- Tap “Next”
- Add a name for the Highlight
- Choose a cover (optional — more on this later!)
- Tap “Add” and boom! You’ve got a Highlight
Step 4: Edit Your Highlights
Want to organize, rename, or remove something? Easy:
- Go to your Profile
- Tap and hold the Highlight you want to edit
- Tap “Edit Highlight”
Here, you can:
- Change the name
- Add or remove Stories
- Edit the cover image
Play around until it looks just right!
Step 5: Customize the Cover Image
Want to give your Highlights a stylish makeover? Customize the covers! You can use a part of a Story or upload a design from your gallery.
To edit the cover:
- Press and hold the Highlight
- Select “Edit Highlight”
- Tap “Edit Cover”
You can zoom in or out and reposition the image. Want a totally unique look? Upload an icon or custom cover graphic from your phone.
There are tons of free icons online you can download, or make your own!
Creative Ideas for Highlight Themes
Wanna know what to make Highlights about? Here are some fun ideas:
- Travel: Trips, vacations, weekend adventures
- Food: Restaurant finds, home-cooked meals, coffee art
- Fashion: Daily outfits, style inspo, hauls
- Behind-The-Scenes: Daily life, workspace, pet moments
- Tutorials: Tips, how-tos, before and afters
- Events: Birthdays, parties, special days
Think of what matters to you and your brand, and show it off!
Tips for Highlight Perfection
- Keep it organized: Name your Highlights clearly
- Use icons: Create uniform covers for a clean look
- Stay on theme: Group similar Stories together
- Update regularly: Keep Highlights fresh and interesting
- Avoid clutter: Don’t overload each Highlight with too many Stories
A little thought goes a long way in making your Highlights shine!
What Your Followers See
Anyone who visits your profile can see your Highlights. It’s a great way to show who you are without them having to scroll through your entire feed.
Think of it like your Instagram resume. Make it stand out!
Wrapping It Up
Instagram Highlights are one of the coolest ways to personalize your profile and let Stories live on. Whether you’re showcasing memories, promoting a business, or just organizing things you love — Highlights do it all.
Now that you’re a pro, go ahead and create your own! Swipe through those old Stories and turn them into something magical.
Happy Highlighting!