Creating an Instagram Story — A Guide for 2024

Step-by-step guide: Create an Instagram story for beginners

Step 1:

Once you've opened the app, you'll find a camera icon in the top-left corner of your feed. Tap on it to get to the story feature. Alternatively, you can swipe left on the display to access the camera function. So you can start story mode right away and try out your first steps.

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Step 2:

After navigating to the story feature, you'll have several recording modes to choose from. You can take a photo or video by pressing the shutter button in the center at the bottom. Alternatively, hold down the shutter button to record a video. If you swipe up, you can also edit and upload already recorded moments as an Instagram story. Try out the different modes and see which one works best for you.

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After navigating to the story feature, you'll have several recording modes to choose from. You can a photo or video Record by pressing the shutter button in the middle at the bottom. Alternatively, hold down the shutter button to record a video. If you swipe up, you can also record moments Edit and upload as an Instagram story. Try out the different modes and see which one works best for you.

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Step 3:

Edit your story: After you've taken a photo or video, you can edit your story to give it your own style. Instagram offers a variety of editing tools that let you add filters, insert text, use stickers, and more. Experiment with different options to get the look you want.

Step 4:

Add text: Text can add context and information to your story. Tap the text icon at the top right to add text. You can adjust the font, color, and size, and drag the text where you want. Consider what text you'd like to add, whether it's a caption, a question for your community, or an informative message.

Step 5:

Use stickers and emojis: Stickers and emojis are a fun way to make your Instagram stories more lively. Tap the sticker icon at the top right and choose from a variety of options, including location stickers, hashtags, surveys, GIFs, and more. Add stickers that match your content and let your creativity flow. They not only make your Instagram story more attractive, but also increase your reach.

Step 6:

Use hashtags and location tags: Hashtags and location tags can help make your stories accessible to a larger audience. Tap the hashtag or location icon at the top of the menu bar and add relevant tags. Use hashtags that match your content and add location tags to target local users. This allows more people to discover your stories and connect with you. You can also add current music to your Instagram story to also gain more reach.

Step 7:

Share your story: After you've edited your story, you're ready to share it with your community. Tap the “share your story” icon at the bottom left of the screen to make your story publicly visible. You can also choose whether you only want to share your story with selected friends or whether you want to send it as a direct message.

Step 8:

Add story highlights: Instagram offers the option to create story highlights on your profile. These are special story collections that remain visible for more than 24 hours. Tap the “Add Story Highlight” icon at the bottom of the screen to create a new collection and save your story there. You can name and arrange the highlights as you like.

Step 9:

Interact with your community: Instagram Stories offer various ways to interact with your community. Use surveys, question stickers, or the emoji slider feature to get feedback from your followers. Respond to the answers you've received and show your community that you appreciate them. Engaging with your followers can help you build an engaged and loyal community. Instagram can thus become part of your daily life and help you strengthen your social media presence.

Formats for your Instagram stories:

Which format is best for Instagram stories?

The recommended resolution for Instagram Stories is 1080 × 1920 pixels with an aspect ratio of 9:16. Make sure to leave enough space at the top and bottom of templates, as your profile picture and profile name will be shown there.

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Frequently asked questions

How long do Instagram stories stay visible?

After you publish a story, it stays online for 24 hours. After that, it automatically disappears. However, you can also save stories as highlights so that they are permanently displayed on your profile. You can find help with this in the step-by-step instructions under point 8.

How long does an Instagram story take?

A single image in an Instagram story is displayed for approximately 15 seconds. Videos can be up to 60 seconds long. If you want to share longer videos, you can split them into one or more sections. But then you have to adjust the background music in the assigned sections.

How to download Instagram Stories?

You can simply save your own stories to your smartphone's gallery by opening the story, tapping on the three dots at the bottom right and selecting “Save.” To download stories from other users, you need external apps. However, be aware that downloading stories from other users might be against Instagram's guidelines.

How can you repost a story on Instagram?

There is no direct feature to repost stories from other users where you haven't been flagged. However, you can take screenshots or screen captures of the stories you want and then post them to your own account. Note, however, that you should have permission from the original author and it is best to mark him to give him credit.

For stories in which you have been tagged by name, Instagram gives you the option to automatically repost them. In return, you will receive a message in your messages: “He/she mentioned you in his/her story” and the prompt “Post to your story.”

How do you tag someone in an Instagram story?

To tag another user in your Instagram story, tap the square smiley in the top right and select the “mention” sticker. Enter the name of the user you want, and Instagram will suggest potential matches. You can also use the text function by entering “@” followed by the username.

How do you add a link to an Instagram story?

To add a link to your story, create your story first. Then tap the sticker icon at the top right and select the “link” sticker. Insert the desired link and adjust it as needed. You can also change the color of the sticker by tapping on it.

Can you plan Instagram stories in advance?

Yes, but not in the app itself and only with an Insagram Business account (company). Because to plan stories in advance, you need the Meta Business Suite. However, this is rather irrelevant for private users and only makes sense for companies or influencers.

The latest 2023 trends for Instagram stories

In 2023, Instagram Stories received some exciting new features and updates that enable users to create even more creative and interactive stories:

1. Augmented reality (AR) effects: Instagram has further developed its AR effects studio to offer users even more options for designing their stories. With AR effects, you can add interactive filters, animations, and 3D objects to your stories. These effects allow you to make your stories more visually appealing and entertaining.
2. Shopping tags in stories: Instagram has improved the integration of shopping tags into stories to make it easier for companies to present their products directly in stories. You can now mark specific products and provide them with a link that takes users directly to the product in your online shop. This makes shopping easier for your followers and gives you a new way to present your products.
3. Auto captions: Instagram has introduced an automatic captions feature that allows you to automatically transcribe the text in your videos. This is particularly helpful for users who can't or don't want to turn on the sound in their stories. You can edit and adjust the automatic captions to make sure the text is played correctly.

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