Today’s Booze: Top 10 New Features on Instagram for 2020 + Surprize Booze

Instagram is on fire this year! Every social media user can agree that in 2020 the Insta team is unstoppable even during the quarantine months. They have worked harder when people were at home, so their app can be even more user-friendly and connect people by answering their needs at home. Today we will summarize some of the new exciting features that Instagram released in 2020 or are coming soon by the end of the year. Make sure that you also check our previous article about how to get started with Instagram for your business!

Instagram Feature #1: IGTV Ads

The power of video content had gotten to another level even on this app. When IGTV was first released a lot of creators were suspicious if they would eventually be able to monetize their videos like on YouTube. Good news! Instagram decided to introduce ads in IGTV as a way to start supporting creators. This is the first time creators will be able to make money directly from IGTV since its launch in 2018 according to Later App. 

The 15-second long IGTV ads will begin showing up in IGTV from a select group of partners and advertisers in the US with plans to continue expanding globally. 

Instagram Feature #2: Creator profile

Until 2020, Instagram was offering users two profile options: a business or personal profile. The difference was that the business profile was giving access to Instagram Insights and the ability to add links to Instagram Stories for accounts with more than 10,000 followers.

In 2020 Instagram gives more power to influencers and entrepreneurs offering them the option to choose Creator Profiles. This new profile option helps them track the follow/unfollow data daily and it divides their messages in two categories, so they can prioritize them and be able to list a preferred method of content.

Instagram Feature #3: Insta scheduling with special content studio

Most of the active users on Instagram will say it’s high time to introduce this option since Facebook is having it for around 5 years and more and more apps are popping up to help people schedule their posts on Instagram. For those who work mainly with Instagram the new Content studio panel is a blessing. But you have to link your Insta profile to a Facebook Page, and access to the scheduler and the Creator Studio there, not directly in the Instagram app. There one more minus and that is that Instagram does not allow users to schedule Instagram stories, which are incredibly effective at reaching followers. We are sure that they are working on it and soon will surprise us!

Instagram Feature #4: Instagram for desktop

Because of the lockdown Instagram decided to make Instagram user friendly on computer browsers. Yes, Instagram was before exclusively for phones, but not anymore. Simply go to Instagram.com and log-in to visit its web version. Here, you can do anything with your Instagram like on your phone. You can like photos, comment, and minimize the browser to make it look like your mobile feed plus finally be able to post your photos with their full quality.

Instagram Feature #5: Live shopping on Instagram

Facebook has reported a 70% increase in Live views from February to March on Instagram because creators and brands used the live streaming feature to help them be active during the social distancing. That is why Instagram focused their new releases mostly on Live features that would help support small businesses and communities during this time. Soon, sellers, brands, and creators will be able to tag products from their Facebook Shop or catalog before going live and those products will be shown at the bottom of the video so people can easily tap to learn more and purchase. 

Instagram Feature #6: Checkout pay function

In 2020 you will be able to even do your shopping directly on Instagram. With the Instagram Checkout feature, customers can tap to view a product from a shoppable post and then continue the payment process, all within Instagram! All they have to do is enter their name, email, billing information, and shipping address the first time they check out. The first launch of the Checkout function was in March 2019 with just 26 brands (including Zara, Revolve, Warby Parker, and Nike) for beta test group and now more shops are added.

Instagram Feature #7: Instagram Guides

This new feature gives users an easier way to consume helpful recommendations and tips from trusted creators, public figures, organizations, and publishers. The Guides on Instagram will look a lot like blog posts and are inspired by the wellness content published due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We’ll enable creators to connect with expert organizations to share resources during this time, including tips on how to look after your well-being, maintaining connection with others or managing anxiety or grief.” 

Instagram Feature #8: Instagram Reels

With Instagram Reels users can now record 15 to 30-second clips set to music on Instagram. This concept might sound very familiar to most of you. When there is a new competitor on the market Facebook is well known for trying to get at their level with previously adding stories and filters when Snapchat refused to join their family and now they are attacking TikTok. Since the situation with TikTok in some countries is a bit delicate, maybe Instagram will win the attention of the users. Let’s see!

Instagram Feature #9: Instagram likes?

Since 2019 Instagram is talking about the idea of removing likes from Instagram, but this change has been met with mixed feelings and still is in the test phase. Till now, likes and subscribers used to be the top priority for many influencers on Instagram as these were top metrics that helped them gain prominence on the platform. Instagram states: “We want your followers to focus on what you share, not how many likes your posts get. During this test, only the person who shares a post will see the total number of likes it gets.”

Will the likes totally disappear, that is still a mystery. But in 2020 more and more countries and their consumers are beta testers of this hidden likes option, which aims to one day become the new normal.

Instagram Feature #10: Messenger Rooms

Instagram is owned by Facebook and there is no surprise that they are connecting and developing together both apps. Now you can call up to 50 people via the new feature Messenger Rooms on Instagram. You can then invite the people directly from your Instagram account to join your room, which will open in Facebook Messenger. You can also copy a direct link to your Room and share it elsewhere so anyone with the link can join.

In a recent Facebook announcement, Mark Zuckerberg shared more about the Messenger Rooms: “You can create a private room and invite a few friends with a link, or you can create a room for one of your groups, or for an event you’re planning. You can also start a room for all your friends and just see who stops by to say hi.”

These are some of the Instagram features in 2020. If we missed some exciting ones, let us know in the comment section, so we can discuss them together!

We have a HUGE surprise for you coming later this week! Subscribe to our newsletter if you haven’t done so yet, check our Instagram page and keep an eye out for our SURPRISE BOOZE!

Cheers!

References:

Canning, N. (2020). 9 Exciting Instagram Features Coming in 2020. Retrieved from: https://later.com/blog/instagram-features-2020/#igtvads

Danao, M. (2018). How to Post on Instagram from a Computer. Retrieved from: https://www.business2community.com/instagram/post-instagram-computer-02013790

Gotter, A. (2020). Top Instagram Updates in 2020 - September Edition. Retrieved from: https://adespresso.com/blog/instagram-updates-you-need-to-make/