Instagram Highlights That Convert: Your Story Archive Strategy
Instagram Stories aren’t just for real-time content; they’re a powerful engagement tool hiding in plain sight. However, these stories only last 24 hours, so it might seem like a lot of work for such a short period of engagement.
Newsflash: This is exactly what Instagram Highlights are made for. In simple terms, Highlights let you pin your best Stories to your profile so new visitors, current followers, or curious lurkers can view (and engage with) key content long after the 24-hour window is up.
While crafting countless social media strategies, we have learned the best ways to maximize the full potential of your Instagram Highlights! Here are our top tips to make your highlights work harder, for more clicks, more engagement, and more conversions.
Why Are Instagram Highlights Important?
Instagram Stories have become a go-to channel for brands to connect, engage, and get instant audience feedback. That’s why having a space that acts as a permanent extension keeps that content accessible, actionable, and always on display.
Instant Feedback
Instagram Highlights allow you to save Stories that include polls, questions, quizzes, or reaction stickers, giving new visitors the opportunity to interact and share their opinions even after the original Story has expired. This extends the life of your audience insights and helps you gather continuous, low-friction feedback on products, services, or ideas.
Connect
Highlights act as a quick introduction to who you are and what you offer. Whether it’s an “About,” “Start Here,” or “Our Story” Highlight, you can instantly build trust and brand clarity with profile visitors. It’s your opportunity to connect with potential customers without relying on them to scroll through your feed.
Engage
By curating high-value content, such as tutorials, behind-the-scenes footage, testimonials, or promotions, into Highlights, you give users a reason to stay, tap, and explore. This keeps your brand top-of-mind and encourages deeper interaction beyond the fleeting nature of a 24-hour Story.
How Should You Organize Your Highlights?
Most visitors will decide whether to follow or click on in under 5 seconds, you want to make a good impression. Stand out from the other 50 profiles they have come across in the last hour.
Think about what you want people to know about your business or yourself on a first impression. It could be:
Behind the scenes
Events
Reviews
Meet the team
Products/services
Promotions/offers
Frequently asked questions
Create a list that makes sense for your business; each highlight should guide a visitor through your sales funnel. It might look different from others, and that’s okay—you don’t want to be like everyone else.
Designing Your Instagram Highlights Cover Icons
Designing your Instagram Highlight covers is all about clarity, consistency, and brand alignment. Whilst designing the icons, aim for clean, on-brand icons or text that instantly communicate what each Highlight is about (think of them as visual signposts). Incorporate your brand colors, fonts, or icon style to keep your profile cohesive and recognizable at just a glance.
Try to steer clear of overly detailed graphics, as the cover icons are small and circular. This can make it tough for users to figure out what they are. Instead, use simple, bold visuals that clearly show the value inside – whether it's FAQs, services, or reviews. This way, users will know exactly what to expect when they tap.
How to Use Your Instagram Highlights?
So, you know how to create an Instagram Highlight, but what should actually go in it? Here are our top three tips to craft highlights that not only look good but also work hard to convert, educate, and engage your audience.
Show Off Your Products or Services
Instagram Highlights are the perfect place to showcase your products or services in a way that’s always visible and easy to explore. Unlike Stories that disappear in 24 hours, Highlights let you pin key offerings —such as product demos, service overviews, pricing, or client results —right on your profile. It’s like having a mini portfolio or storefront that speaks for your brand 24/7, guiding new visitors straight to what you do best.
The People Powering You
Using Instagram Highlights to introduce your team adds a human touch that builds trust and connection. A “Meet the Team” Highlight gives your audience a behind-the-brand look, showcasing the people, personalities, and passion that power your business. Whether it’s quick intros, day-in-the-life clips, or team shoutouts, it helps personalize your brand and makes followers feel more connected to the person or team they’re buying from or working with.
Quick Answers
An FAQ Highlight is a game-changer for saving time and building trust. Instead of answering the same DMs on repeat, you can guide followers to a go-to spot with clear, bite-sized answers to your most common questions, whether it’s shipping details, booking info, turnaround times, or how your service works.
Need Help?
Need support with your social media? At Summary Content, we craft tailored strategies that turn your online presence into a thriving, engaged community. Let’s connect and start growing your brand together!
