Instagram Notes Feature: Everything You Need to Know

Recently, Instagram has introduced a new feature called “Notes“. This guide covers everything you need to know about Instagram Notes, including its benefits, effective usage, ideas, examples and more. From understanding what Instagram Notes are to learning how to use them efficiently, we’ve got you covered. Without further ado, let’s get started!

Instagram Notes feature explained

What are Instagram Notes?

Instagram Notes are short text-based messages that you can share with your friends and followers on Instagram. They are located at the top of your Direct Message (DM) page.

There you can see all the notes that other users have shared with you. Your followers can react to your Instagram Notes with emojis or respond with a direct message.

Instagram Notes offers a simple way to jot down your ideas, share quotes, express your opinions, or ask questions. This feature is very similar to Instagram Stories, with the key difference being that Notes only supports text, while Stories are image-based.

Features of Instagram Notes

Below we have listed some important points that you must know about this feature –

  • Instagram Notes are visible only for 24 hours.
  • You can add only one note at a time i.e. you are not allowed to have multiple notes at the same time. If you post a new note before the previous one expires, the new note will replace the previous one automatically.
  • They will automatically disappear after they have expired. As of now, there is no feature to archive them.
  • Instagram Notes have a character limit of 60 words.
  • Instagram Notes are only visible to your followers whom you follow back.
  • You can choose to share your Instagram Notes with specific people using Close friends list.
  • If you don’t like someone’s notes, you can mute them.
  • People can react to your Instagram Notes through emojis or send a reply via message.

Who can see your Instagram Notes?

Instagram has provided two options for the privacy of your notes which include Followers your follow back and Close friends. The first option is set as default which means your notes will be visible to all the followers you follow back (mutual followers).

This will exclude people who are in your followers list but whom you’re not following. You can also share your notes with specific people using the Close friends feature on Instagram. This option can also be used to hide your Instagram notes from everyone expect one person.

What is the character limit on Instagram Notes?

Instagram Notes have a character limit of 60 characters only. It is quite short but sufficient for users to express their thoughts and ideas in a concise manner. Please note that this character limit includes spaces, punctuation, and any other special characters. If the note is too long to fit in the preview, it will get truncated. However, the viewers can tap on your note to open it and read fully.

How to post a note on Instagram

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Open the Instagram app on your smartphone.
  2. Tap the Messenger icon in the upper-right corner to go to your Direct Message (DM). You will see all of the notes your friends and followers have shared with you at the top of your chats.
  3. To create a new note, tap on “Your note” option that has your profile picture on it with a plus (+) sign.
    Instagram Notes in DIrect Message
  4. Type in or paste anything you want to share in your Instagram note. It should be under 60 characters. You can also see the characters count as you type.
    Post/Share your note on Instagram
  5. Tap the Share option in the top-right corner to post your note.

After posting a note, it will appear above your profile picture in the Instagram Notes carousel located at the top of your Direct Message (DM) page. Tapping on the note will bring up a pop-up window with two options. You can either delete your note or leave a new one.

Video Tutorial:

How to hide your Instagram notes from specific people

Some of you might be wondering if it is possible to hide your Instagram notes from specific people. Luckily, it is possible to do that. You can choose to share your Instagram Notes with selected people using the Close friends feature. This feature allows you to choose a specific group of people to share your Instagram Notes with. Here are the steps you need to follow:

  1. Open the Instagram app.
  2. Go to your Direct Message (DM).
  3. Tap on “Your Note” at the top and type in the message you want to share.
  4. Next, tap on “Shared with” option at the bottom and select “Close Friends“.
  5. Tap on Close Friends again and it will open up a list where you will see all the people you have added to your Closed Friends. Select the people with whom you want to share your Instagram notes. Tap on their username to select. Additionally, you can also use the search bar at the top to search for specific people or usernames.
    Share Instagram note with close friends list
  6. Finally, tap the Done button to save the changes and then Share your Instagram note. That’s it. Now your note will be visible only to the people that are added in your Close Friends list.

How to mute Instagram Notes?

Instagram’s Notes section can sometimes get cluttered with messages from people you may not be interested in, especially if you have a large number of followers.

Thankfully, there is a feature that allows you to mute notes from specific individuals to prevent them from showing up on your Direct Message (DM) page. You can mute Instagram notes in two ways:

1. Mute from the Instagram Note

Go to your Direct Message and find the note of the user whose notes you want to mute. Tap and hold on their note or profile picture. This will open up a pop-up menu. After that, tap on Mute Notes option and then confirm. Please note that the user won’t be notified that you have muted their notes.

Mute Instagram notes

2. Mute from the user profile

Another way to mute someone’s notes on your Instagram is from their profile. Simply, search for the user on the Search page and tap on their username. This will take you to their profile page. From there, tap on the Following button and select the Mute option. Then, toggle on the button next to the Notes option.

Mute notes from user profile

What are the benefits of Instagram Notes

Benefits of Instagram Notes

Now let’s take a closer look at the benefits of Instagram Notes and the different ways you can use them:

  • Share your thoughts: With Instagram Notes, you can easily express your thoughts, ideas, opinions, and feelings in a concise and creative way. This can be a great way to connect with your followers and share your perspective on various topics.
  • Show your personality: Instagram Notes give you the opportunity to showcase your personality and connect with your followers on a more personal level.
  • Start a conversation: Instagram You can react or reply to other’s notes. This can be a fun way to interact with friends, family, or even strangers who share similar interests or opinions.
  • Promote your content: You can ask your followers to check out your new reel or post. Share a simple note like “Posted a New Reel 🎞️ Like, Share, & Comment“. You can attract more likes, comments, and shares from your followers, thereby increasing your engagement on the platform.

Ideas to share on Instagram Notes

If you are looking for some creative ideas to share on Instagram Notes, here are a few suggestions to get you started!

  • Inspirational quotes: Share a motivational quote that has inspired you or one that you think will inspire your followers.
  • Personal updates: Share what’s going on in your life, whether it’s a major milestone or just a small moment that made you happy.
  • Speak up your mind: You can use Instagram Notes as a platform to express your opinions on various topics, such as politics, social issues, entertainment, or sports. This can spark thoughtful conversations and engage your followers.
  • Random thoughts: Share your musings and random thoughts that come to your mind. You never know who might relate to them or find them interesting.
  • Funny jokes: Share a good joke or meme that you think your followers will enjoy. This can lighten the mood and bring a smile to their faces. You can check out funny ideas for Instagram Notes here.
  • Current events: Share your thoughts on current events or news stories that are happening in the world.
  • Content promotion: You can promote your new reel or post and ask your followers to like, share, and comment on it by sharing a note.
  • Ask questions: Engage with your followers by asking them questions and encouraging them to share their thoughts and ideas.

Examples of Instagram Notes

Here are a few examples of Instagram Notes to inspire you to come up with your own ideas:

  • Just finished a great workout! 💪🏋️‍♀️
  • Can’t stop listening to Drake! 🎧🎤
  • Enjoying some me-time 😌🧘‍♀️
  • Missing travel so much ✈️🌍
  • Happy Friday! What are your weekend plans? 🎉👀
  • Life’s too short to wait for opportunities. Create them. 🔥💡
  • Don’t let fear stop you from chasing your dreams. 🚫😱💭
  • Never stop learning and growing. 📚🌱
  • You are capable of more than you think. 💪🏼🌟
  • Today’s mantra: Choose joy. 😊🙏
  • Breathe. Everything is going to be okay 🌬️🙏
  • Grateful for this moment 🙌❤️
  • Going Hiking 🥾🌲🏔️
  • Can we talk about the importance of mental health? 🗣️💭💚
  • Why do we park on driveways and drive on parkways? 🤔🚗💭
  • Had a great weekend camping with friends. 🏕️👫

Frequently asked questions

How do I get the Notes feature on Instagram?

You will need to update your Instagram app to the latest version in order to access the Notes feature. You can do this by going to the App Store (for iPhones) or the Google Play Store (for Android phones) and updating the Instagram app. Once you’ve done that, you will find the Notes feature in the Direct Message.

Can I see who viewed my Instagram notes?

No, Instagram does not have a feature to let you check who has viewed your notes. You will be notified only when someone reacts to your note with an emoji or send you a reply message.

How can I delete an Instagram note?

To delete an Instagram note, go to your Direct Message (DM) and tap on the note. After that, tap on the “Delete note” option in the pop-up menu.

When was Instagram Notes launched?

The Notes feature was first launched by Instagram on 13 December, 2022.

Why don’t I have Notes on Instagram?

If you don’t have the Notes feature on Instagram, it is possible that your app is not up to date or that the feature is not available in your country yet.

What can I write in my Instagram notes?

You can share your thoughts, feelings, and moods with a short message or quote. Apart from that, you can share your current activities or whereabouts, such as “out for a run” or “enjoying a day at the beach”. To make your message more appealing, make use of emojis.

Final Words

Instagram Notes is a great addition to the platform that has the potential to enhance your online presense. You can speak up your mind, share your thoughts, start a new conversation, and build deeper connections with your friends and followers.

We have covered all the essential details about the Instagram Notes feature, and we hope you found this guide helpful. Now what are you waiting for? Give it a try and share your first note with the world! If you have any more questions or feedback about this feature, please feel free to share them in the comments section below.

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About the author

Vivek Chaudhary Author
Tech writer & founder @Geek Instructor • Vivek Chaudhary is an experienced tech blogger who has been writing about technology for more than ten years. He's written over 1500 articles covering various tech topics. Vivek is passionate about sharing his expertise to help others. Beyond the digital realm, he enjoys traveling and creating videos on YouTube. Feel free to contact here: vivek@geekinstructor.com

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