31 tips and options you most likely didn't learn about

Do you want to improve your Insta game? With these tricks and tools you will program like a professional in no time.

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General Instagram hacks

Instagram hacks for sharing photos and videos

Instagram story hacks

Instagram bio and profile hacks

Instagram hashtag hacks

Instagram direct messaging hacks

Bonus: Download a free checklist This shows the exact steps with which a lifestyle photographer on Instagram has grown from 0 to 600,000 followers, without a budget and without expensive equipment.

General Instagram hacks

1. Stop seeing posts or stories from accounts that you follow but don't love

You don't want to see your aunt's ferret videos anymore, but you also don't want to hurt her feelings with an unfollow. The solution? Give her a mute!

How it goes:

Method 1

1. Go to the account you want to mute
2. Tap the following button
3. Click Mute
4. From there, you can choose whether to mute posts or posts and stories from the account
5. You can also mute posts and stories by pressing and holding a story in your tray or profile

Method 2

1. Find a post in your feed for the person you want to mute and click the three dots in the top right corner of the post
2. Click Mute
3. From there, you can choose whether to mute posts or posts and stories from the account
4. You can also mute posts and stories by pressing and holding a story in your tray or profile

2. Rearrange the filter

Always have Amaro on hand and keep Nashville out of sight by customizing your menu with filter options.

How it goes:

1. If you post a photo or video, go to Filters
2. Scroll to the bottom of your filters and tap Manage
3. Press and hold the three-line icon next to each filter on the left side of the screen to change the order of your filters
4. Check or uncheck the circles next to each filter on the right side of the screen to show or hide filters
5. Click Done to save your settings

3. View all posts you liked

Take a walk back in time and check out all of your previous photo likes. (So ​​many. Puppies.)

How it goes:

1. Go to your profile
2. Open the hamburger menu in the upper right corner
3. Tap Settings
4. Tap Account
5. Tap posts you liked

4. Clear your search history

Make sure no one finds out that you searched for photos of "Mr Clean Shirt off" by delicately clearing your Instagram search history.

How it goes:

1. Go to your profile
2. Open the hamburger menu in the upper right corner
3. Tap Settings
4. Tap Security
5. Scroll down, and then tap Clear search history or Clear search history

5. Set up notifications for other accounts

Add notifications for your favorite accounts and never miss a new post from your favorite Japanese mascot fansite.

How it goes:

1. Visit the profile page of the account for which you want to receive notifications
2. Tap the following button
3. Choose Notifications
4. Switch the content you want to receive notifications about: posts, stories, IGTV or live videos

6. Create shortcuts for general answers

iOS users can automatically create completed comments to answer frequently asked questions and save valuable seconds. Time is money, people!

How it goes:

1. In your Instagram profile, tap the hamburger menu, then tap Settings.
2. Tap Creator, and then tap Quick Answers.
3. Tap New Quick Reply
4. Select a few words or a phrase as a link (e.g. opening hours).
5. In the "Message" section, enter the generic response you want to create (e.g. "Hello! We are only open for business during the full moon!").
6. Tap Save
7. If you want to use that particular comment, enter your shortcut and your phone will automatically fill in the full phrase.

7. Bookmark your favorite posts

Imagine “collections” as your digital scrapbooks: save your favorite contributions here.

How it goes:

1. Go to a post you want to save
2. Tap the bookmark icon under the post you want to save
3. It is automatically added to a generic collection. However, if you want to send it to a specific collection, select "Save Collection". Here you can select an existing collection or tap the + symbol to create and name a new one
4. To view your saved posts and collections, visit your profile and tap the hamburger menu. Then tap Saved

8. Remove old posts (without deleting them forever)

Like the Instagram equivalent of the Disney vault, you can use the "Archive" function to hide old posts out of sight.

How it goes:

1. At the top of the post you want to remove, tap …
2. Choose Archive
3. To review all archived posts, go to your profile and tap the hamburger icon in the top right corner
4. Tap Archive
5. Click Archive at the top of the screen to view either posts or stories
6. If you want to restore content to your public profile, just tap "Show on Profile" at any time. The content is displayed in the original position

9. Limit your screen time

Just because you can scroll forever doesn't mean you should. Save yourself with the day timer integrated in Instagram.

How it goes:

1. Go to your profile and tap on the hamburger menu
2. Tap your activity> Set daily reminder
3. Select a time period and tap Set reminder

Instagram hacks for sharing photos and videos

10. Create line breaks in your label

Take control of the speed of your label with this trick to create line breaks.

How it goes:

1. Edit your photo and proceed to the caption screen
2. Write your caption
3. Tap the 123 key on your device's keyboard to access the Enter key
4. Use the Enter key to add pauses to your label

Note: While the breaks start a new line, the space between two paragraphs is not created. To create a paragraph break, write your caption in your phone's Notes app and copy it to Instagram. Do you want to break the lines further? Use bullets, dashes, or other punctuation.

11. Plan your posts in advance

Prepare your content for premium-time publishing using Hootsuite's Instagram scheduling tool.

How it goes:

Note: Our guide to scheduling posts on Instagram tells you how to do this through a personal account.

PS: Coming soon at Hootsuite: planning Instagram stories!

12.Post on Instagram from your computer

Do you have some pictures of your cat disguised as David Bowie on your desktop? Skip the extra step of sending it to your phone before showing it to the world (hello? We're waiting!).

Depending on your operating system, there are several different tools you can use to post to Instagram from your computer. One of them is, of course, Hootsuite. Our composer even has editing and resizing features that make the publishing process smooth.

How it goes:

13. Select a cover picture for your video

Your hair looked particularly cute 10 seconds after your video and you want the world to know. Here's how to choose the still image that starts your video.

How it goes:

1. Use a graphic design tool like Canva to create an intro picture, then use editing software to place it at the beginning or end of your video
2. Tap the + button at the bottom of the screen to select a video from your library, or create one at the moment
3. Then tap Cover
4. Select the intro image from the selection of still images

14. Hide comments from your feed

A picture is worth a thousand words – so do you really need other people to complement the conversation? How to keep the comment area calm.

How it goes:

1. Select the hamburger menu in the top right corner of your profile and tap Settings
2. Tap Privacy
3. Tap Comments
4. Set manual filters for specific words or phrases, or choose Hide Offensive Comments to automatically filter for general rude language
5. While you can't turn off comments in your profile, you can turn off comments about a specific post by selecting Advanced Settings> Turn Off Comments while the post is on.

Instagram story hacks

15. Record video hands-free

The hands-free mode is like a much less maintenance Instagram friend. Reliable. Receives the lessons well. Loyal to. Loving.

How it goes:

1. Swipe right from your home screen to open the Instagram Stories camera
2. Swipe through the options on the side of the screen – normal, boomerang, etc. – and stop at the hands-free recording option
3. Tap the record button at the bottom of the screen to start recording
4. To end the recording, either let the maximum time run out or tap the record button again

16. Hide a story from certain users

Because if everyone has to see the funny prank you did to Daryl in accounting – except your boss.

How it goes:

Method 1

1. Go to your profile and tap on the hamburger menu.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Tap Privacy> Story
4. Tap Hide Story From
5. Select the people you want to hide your story from, then tap Done (iOS) or the check mark icon (Android).
6. To hide your story from someone, tap the blue check mark to deselect it.

Method 2

You can also select people from whom you want to hide your story while looking at who saw your story.

1. Tap on the three dots to the right of their name and select Hide story (user name).
2. Note: Hiding your story from someone is different from blocking and does not prevent them from seeing your profile and posts.

17. Use your own fonts for stories

We may never know why Instagram doesn't allow you to use only Jokerman fonts natively. But where there's a crazy 90s serif, there's a way.

How it goes:

1. Open a writing tool. There are many free options through your web browser, such as: B. igfonts.io: Be careful with third-party keyboard apps that can monitor everything you do!
2. Enter your message in the writing tool of your choice
3. Select the font you want
4. Copy the text and paste it into your story (although this also works for profile bios and post subtitles).

18. Change the cover of your story highlights

Mark your highlights with a fresh first picture.

How it goes:

1. Tap your marker, and then tap Edit Highlight
2. Tap Edit Cover
3. Select your photo from your camera roll

19. Write with all the colors of the rainbow

Change the color tones of individual letters or use the magic of the rainbow with this sneaky trick to color your world.

How it goes:

1. Tap the camera icon in the top left to create a new story
2. Choose Create
3. Enter your message and then select the part of the text whose color you want to change
4. Hold your left finger or thumb on the end cursor
5. Hold your right finger or thumb on the color you want to end up on
6. Now slide both fingers to the right at the same time: your left hand highlights the letters individually, while your right hand changes the color selection for each

20. Add additional photos to a story

When a snapshot of your DIY macrame dog bikini per post is not enough.

How it goes:

1. Open a photo in your photo roll and tap the Export button
2. Tap Copy
3. Open Instagram Stories and double-tap the screen to select the Paste option

Would you like more expert advice on how to get the most out of your Instagram stories? Visit our ultimate stories guide on the blog.

Instagram bio and profile hacks

21. Hide photos where you were tagged

Even if your friends' feeds are full of photos of your Margarita Monday exploits, the world never has to know.

How it goes:

1. Go to your profile
2. Tap the person in a box icon below your biography to go to the Photos tab of you
3. Tap the photo you want to remove from your profile
4. Tap the three dots icon in the upper right corner and select Tag Options
5. Select "Remove from post" or "Hide from my profile"

Note: You can also prevent tagged photos from appearing in your profile. Just go to the Photos tab of yours and choose any photo you like. Then select Edit at the top right. Here you can switch to manually approve tags.

22. Add line breaks to the bio

Break up this block of text and share your information in a visually appealing way.

How it goes:

1. Open a note-taking app and write down your biography the way you want it – including line breaks
2. Select all of the text and choose Copy
3. Open the Instagram app
4. Tap your profile picture icon to view your profile
5. Tap the Edit Profile button
6. Paste the text from your Notes app into the bio field
7. Tap Done to save your changes

23. Get your biography in more search results

Enter a keyword for your business in the name field of your biography, and you're more likely to appear in the search results for that industry.

How it goes:

1. Tap Edit Profile in the top right of your Instagram profile
2. In the Name section, change the text to include your keywords
3. Tap Done at the top right of the screen

24. Add special characters and use special fonts for your profile

Spicing up your profile with fun fonts or the perfect wingding is as easy as copying and pasting. (A hint: Use special characters sparingly to ensure accessibility! Not every accessible reading tool can interpret them correctly.)

How it goes:

1. Open a Word or Google document.
2. Start typing your biography. To place a special character, tap Insert and then Extended Icon.
3. Insert the symbols in the desired position in your biography.
4. Open your Instagram profile in a web browser and tap Edit Profile.
5. Copy your biography from the Word or Google document and paste it into your Instagram biography. Then tap Done when you're done.

25. Switch to a company profile

If you officially declare yourself a company on Instagram, you will get some serious benefits, including: B. Placing ads and getting insights. What are you waiting for when you're a brand?

How it goes:

1. Go to your profile and tap on the hamburger menu
2. Tap Settings
3. Tap Account
4. Tap Switch to business account
5. We recommend that you connect your business account to a Facebook page that is associated with your company. This makes it easier to use all functions available for companies. Only one Facebook page can currently be linked to your business account
6. Add details such as the category and contact information of your company or account
7. Tap Done

For more tips on optimizing your profile, see our post on Instagram Bio Ideas for Business.

Instagram hashtag hacks

26. Find the most important (and relevant) hashtags to use

If you want to be discovered, it's important to include hashtags in your post. Here you can find out which ones are best suited to get your content. The star is born moment.

How it goes:

1. Select the magnifying glass icon to go to the Explore tab
2. Enter a keyword and tap the Tags column
3. Choose a hashtag from the list
4. This will take you to a page with posts that have this hashtag
5. A small bar labeled "Related" appears above the "Top" and "Recent" sections of the page. In addition, Instagram shows a list of relevant hashtags that you can swipe through for inspiration (and further research).

27. Follow your favorite hashtags

Get inspiration from your feed and never miss the latest # NailArt masterpieces (are they … Tom and Jerry nails?).

How it goes:

1. Select the magnifying glass icon to go to the Explore tab
2. Enter the hashtag you want to follow
3. On the hashtag page, click the Follow button

28. Hide hashtags in posts and stories

Yes, you will be discovered with hashtags. But they can also be visual clutter. (Or just look a little … thirsty.) So you can take advantage of the benefits without affecting your style.

How it goes:

Method 1

1. An easy way to hide your hashtags is to simply leave them out of your caption and paste them into a comment below your post
2. As soon as you have received another comment, your hashtags will be safely hidden in the comment area

Method 2

Another method is to separate your hashtags from the rest of your caption by burying them under an avalanche of line breaks.

1. Simply tap the 123 button when creating a label
2. Choose Back
3. Enter a punctuation (whether period, ball, or hyphen) and press Enter again
4. Repeat steps 2 through 4 at least five times
5. Instagram hides subtitles after three lines, so your hashtags can only be displayed if your followers tap the "More" option in your post

Instagram direct messaging hacks

29. Turn off your activity status

You don't have to let the world know when you're online or not: keep an aura of mystery!

How it goes:

1. Go to your profile and tap on the hamburger menu. Tap Settings
2. Tap Privacy
3. Tap Activity Status
4. Turn off activity status

30. Send missing content to your friends

Create photos, videos, or boomerangs that are here today and disappeared with direct messaging tomorrow.

How it goes:

1. On the home screen, tap the camera icon at the top left of the screen. Or swipe right to open the camera. Or open Instagram Direct by tapping the paper airplane icon in the top right of the screen and then tapping the camera icon in the top left
2. Take a photo, video, or boomerang
3. Edit it as desired
4. Tap the icon> at the bottom right of the screen
5. Select your recipient or tap the + sign to create a new group chat
6. Tap Send at the bottom of the screen

Note: If you select multiple recipients without creating a group, each user will be sent the same message separately.

31. Edit a friend's pictures

How do you show a friend you're interested in? They put strange emojis on their photos. Here's how to edit a friend's picture.

How it goes:

1. When viewing a friend's photo message, tap the camera icon below and capture a reply
2. Your answer contains a sticker of your answer
3. Move and resize, and add your own twist with stickers, text, and drawings
4. Make sure you send the Allow Playback setting below so your friend can remix your picture

Would you like to see many of the hacks from this article in action? This video from the Hootsuite Academy has it all.

Manage your Instagram presence along with your other social channels and save time with Hootsuite. With a single dashboard, you can schedule and publish posts, engage your audience, and measure performance. Try it for free today.

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