ColumnistsAug 06, 2024
The Smart Lab: Supercharge Your Summer Social Media StrategyTechnologyAug 21, 2024
Instagram’s Notes Feature Expands to Posts, Reels
Acting as temporary virtual Post-it notes, Notes are designed to help strengthen mutual connections, not reach new audiences.
Last month, Instagram expanded its Notes feature to posts and Reels. It was originally limited to users’ inboxes. (Photo from Instagram official Threads account)
New York—Last month, Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri shared a post on the social media platform announcing its new Notes feature has expanded to posts and Reels.
Essentially, Notes act as short, virtual Post-it notes that last three days before disappearing for good.
They can be added to your own content or applied to posts and Reels from other creators.
Essentially, Notes act as short, virtual Post-it notes that last three days before disappearing for good.
They can be added to your own content or applied to posts and Reels from other creators.
To add a Note to a post or Reel, users can tap the “paper plane” icon, hit “Add note,” type out their message, and then choose to share it with one of two audiences—followers who follow you back or Close Friends, a feature that allows users to curate a specific group of followers with whom to privately share content.
Notes will be visible to only the indicated audience, and they can be deleted at any time.
Those who can see the note can reply to it, and that reply will appear as a new chat in the note-maker’s inbox.
Notes originally launched at the end of 2022 when it rolled out as a feature within the Instagram inbox, allowing users to find their profile photo at the top of the inbox and leave a short message.
These Notes function similarly to how they do on posts and Reels, except when added in the inbox, they last 24 hours instead of three days.
Instagram users can access their inbox to leave Notes, which disappear after 24 hours.
The Notes feature can be used like a conversation starter, Meta said in its initial announcement, used for things like sharing what you’re up to or asking for recommendations.
Mosseri wrote in a later Instagram post that they’re “sort of like [an] AIM status.”
“Notes are not for reaching followers whom you don’t follow back, sorry creators,” he wrote. “This one is all about starting conversations with people you care about.”
To reach and connect with loyal followers through this new feature, businesses would need to first follow those accounts back.
One way to reach new audiences while also nurturing mutual-follow relationships could be to publicly post a new Reel, and then, once it’s up, add a Note with a special message or announcement to be seen only by that designated community.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Notes is an evolving feature, and many users report that they don’t have access to it at all.
There is also other feedback about downsides to the feature.
Some users dislike that the feature causes them to see posts they don’t care about (or wouldn’t normally choose to see) appearing in their feed, simply because a mutual friend has left a Note on the content.
Some also say they’ve turned off suggested posts (content the app inserts into your feed from accounts you don’t already follow, but that Instagram thinks you may enjoy) for this reason.
Notes can also be turned off in settings.
The feature appears to show Notes in the Instagram app only, not on web browsers.
More on Technology
The Latest
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
Events & AwardsFeb 11, 2026
TJS Announces Roundtable, Launches New AppRegistration is now open for The Jewelry Symposium, set to take place in Detroit from May 16-19.
Weekly QuizFeb 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
At Meeting in South Africa, Support for Natural Diamonds Picks Up Steam Namibia has formally signed the Luanda Accord, while two key industry organizations pledged to join the Natural Diamond Council.
TrendsFeb 10, 2026
Bad Bunny Wears Football-Shaped ‘Desert Diamond’ for Halftime PerformanceLady Gaga, Cardi B, and Karol G also went with diamond jewelry for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show honoring Puerto Rico.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
SurveysFeb 10, 2026
Shoppers to Spend Big on Jewelry This Valentine’s Day, Says NRFJewelry is expected to be the No. 1 gift this year in terms of dollars spent.
FinancialsFeb 10, 2026
Kering Plans Transformation as 2025 Sales Sink 13%As star brand Gucci continues to struggle, the luxury titan plans to announce a new roadmap to return to growth.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
AGTA To Debut ‘Stuller Color of the Year’ Spectrum Awards CategoryThe new category asks entrants for “exceptional” interpretations of the supplier’s 2026 color of the year, which is “Signature Red.”
Policies & IssuesFeb 09, 2026
U.S., India Trade Deal One Step Closer to Being FinalizedThe White House issued an official statement on the deal, which will eliminate tariffs on loose natural diamonds and gemstones from India.
Events & AwardsFeb 09, 2026
JA Now Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsEntries for the jewelry design competition will be accepted through March 20.
IndependentsFeb 09, 2026
James Free Jewelers Unveils Revamped FlagshipThe Ohio jeweler’s new layout features a curated collection of brand boutiques to promote storytelling and host in-store events.
TrendsFeb 09, 2026
These 14 Jewels Will Melt Your Heart This Valentine’s DayFrom heart motifs to pink pearls, Valentine’s Day is filled with jewelry imbued with love.
CrimeFeb 06, 2026
Florida Man Sentenced After Selling Fake Native American Jewelry for a Decade Prosecutors say the man attended arts and craft fairs claiming he was a third-generation jeweler who was a member of the Pueblo tribe.
FinancialsFeb 06, 2026
Pandora’s North America GM Departs Amid Executive ChangesNew CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier shared her priorities for the Danish jewelry company this year as part of its fourth-quarter results.
TrendsFeb 06, 2026
Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi Wear Matching Cece Jewellery Signet RingsOur Piece of the Week picks are these bespoke rings the “Wuthering Heights” stars have been spotted wearing during the film’s press tour.
MajorsFeb 05, 2026
Pandora to Begin Selling Platinum-Plated JewelryThe introduction of platinum plating will reduce its reliance on silver amid volatile price swings, said Pandora.
SourcingFeb 05, 2026
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2026, Anglo Mulls Another WritedownIt would be the third impairment charge in three years on De Beers Group, which continues to grapple with a “challenging” diamond market.
IndependentsFeb 05, 2026
Borsheims to Undergo Massive Renovation in the Spring The Omaha jewelry store’s multi-million-dollar renovation is scheduled to begin in mid-May and take about six months.
CollectionsFeb 05, 2026
Marco Bicego’s Amethyst Collection Travels to a Purple ParadiseThe “Paradise Amethyst” collection focuses on amethyst, pink tourmaline, garnet, and 18-karat yellow gold beads.
FinancialsFeb 05, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Reports Strong Holiday Results in Q3The retailer credited its Roberto Coin campaign, in part, for boosting its North America sales.
ColumnistsFeb 04, 2026
January Jewelry Sales: More Dollars Spent, Fewer Units Sold Sherry Smith unpacks independent retailers’ January performance and gives tips for navigating the slow-growth year ahead.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
What Designers Should Know About Saks Global’s BankruptcyFrom how to get an invoice paid to getting merchandise returned, JVC’s Sara Yood answers some complex questions.
TrendsFeb 04, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: February Birthstone BlissAmethyst, the birthstone for February, is a gemstone to watch this year with its rich purple hue and affordable price point.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
Marco Bicego Names New Global Marketing DirectorThe Italian jewelry company appointed Matteo Cuelli to the newly created role.
