In August, Instagram announced the release of four new features to the app which promises to enhance user experiences. The features include adding soundtracks on photo carousels, increased collaborators on posts and Reels, the ability to enhance engagement on Reels with “Add Yours” stickers, as well as an expanded music library with increased availability worldwide. All of these new features announced on the same day are designed to help users better connect and collaborate with others.

As Instagram said on its blog, “We’re always working on ways to improve your Instagram experience. We’ll continue to build features that make it easier and more fun to create and share on Instagram.”

There’s one reason in particular that may make you want to start enjoying these new features sooner rather than later. Since Instagram wants users to embrace new features, its algorithm prioritizes users using new features. However, these new features are pretty cool, so you'll want to keep using them for many other reasons. Let’s take a look at what’s new, who can use them and what perks it means for your experience.

‍New Feature #1: Soundtrack to Your on Photo Carousels

This allows all Instagram users to add music to their photo carousels. The idea is to add even more personality to Reels by including your musical tastes as well. Once the photos are selected for the carousel, you can select to add music. Songs can be previewed before using and with editing abilities, a user can select a specific 90 second portion of the song so they get exactly what they want.

This feature is available to everyone, though some may find more benefits than others. For example, performing artists can utilize this feature to release clips of songs with accompanying images.

‍New Feature #2: Collaboration on Posts or Reels

Now, both private and public accounts can add up to three users to collaborate on a single post or Reel. Collaboration is one of the best ways to get your content to show up in more places, reaching a wider audience. When a user accepts a collaboration, the post shows up on each accounts’ grid. By having the ability to add more than a single collaborator, potential reach practically triples.

New Feature #3: "Add Yours" Sticker Available on Reels

This new feature lets creatives and artists invite their followers to join them on content by adding a prompt to a published Reel. This is the ultimate fan engagement tool by allowing people to respond to questions posted on Reels! Content ideas for this feature include a fun challenge and event promotions. For example, instead of posting about something, invite participants to build their excitement with a prompt such as, “What are you most looking forward to at [event]?”. Once people start chiming in, the creator or artist will see all the engagement and then can pick their top 10 favorites to showcase.

New Feature #4: Expanded Access to Music

Turn up the volume with this news! Instagram is expanding access to its music library to more countries around the world. Additionally, they have formed a partnership with Spotify in Mexico and Brazil to feature the top 50 songs used in Instagram Reels with a new Reels Music Chart on Spotify. For those users who have already been enjoying the vast music library on Instagram, you know how music brings videos to life. To help decide what sounds to use, look at what is trending or popular by clicking on the music icon to see which other Reels have used it as well.

Hopefully, you can see that with new features like these from Instagram comes even more possibilities for your social media experience. PLANOLY knows this and that is why it too is constantly releasing new features to enhance the overall social media experience, including Reels features. With PLANOLY, you can auto-post Instagram Reels, carousels, Stories & more to business and creator accounts. Here’s how easy it is.

Now that these new features are available and you understand what they are, how to use them and the benefits of each, it’s time to dive in. And it’s most certain that this round of updates won’t be the last. To stay in the know about social media trends, sign up for the PLANOLY newsletter and have tips delivered right to your inbox.

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