What is the Difference Between a Post and Story on Instagram?
Instagram is one of the most popular social media networks around the world. As a result, people create unique ways to post content that allows them to express themselves creatively and show their followers what’s important to them.
There are two primary types of posts on Instagram: posts and stories. While they may look similar on the surface, there are some key distinctions between the two. Let’s take a closer look!
What is a Post?
A post on Instagram is a type of content you can upload to the platform. Posts vary in length and can be images, videos, GIFs, quotes, and more. When you post something on Instagram, it appears on your profile.
What is a Story?
A story on Instagram is also a type of post, but it appears slightly differently on the platform. When you upload a story to Instagram, it is visible for 24 hours at the very top of your followers’ home pages.
Differences Between Posts and Stories
Although posts and stories on Instagram may seem similar at first, there are several key differences between them.
- Visibility – Posts are public and display on your profile page unless they are deleted. Stories, however, are not publicly visible, and they can only be seen by followers.
- Time Limit – Posts on Instagram can remain on your profile page for an indefinite length of time. Stories, however, only remain visible for 24 hours.
- Comments – Posts can receive comments from other users, while comments are not available for stories.
Conclusion
Overall, posts and stories on Instagram offer distinct experiences for users. Posts are public and remain on your profile for an indefinite length of time, while stories are available for only 24 hours and not visible to the public. Therefore, it’s important to consider each option carefully when deciding which type of content to post.
What types of content can be featured in a post versus a story on Instagram?
A post on Instagram typically includes photos and videos, while an Instagram story can include videos, photos, Boomerang, live videos, text, hashtags, location tags, polls, emoji sliders, and GIF stickers.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using either feature on Instagram?
The advantages of using Instagram’s Stories feature include:
1. Instant Feedback: You can post content to your story and receive immediate feedback from your audience.
2. Increased Interaction: Assembling your story with various elements such as polls, sliders, quizzes and emojis encourages customers to interact with the content, which helps build relationships.
3. Visibility: Instagram Stories are more likely to be seen by your followers, since they usually appear at the top of the user’s newsfeed.
Disadvantages of Instagram Stories include:
1. Short Attention Span: The short lifespan of a story means followers can easily miss it in their newsfeed and with no way to relive content it can be harder to get a message across.
2. Low Engagement: Instagram Stories may not always be the most engaging content and due to the quick-fire way in which people scroll through their stories, your content may not be viewed for long.
3. Limited Customization: Instagram Stories does not offer the same level of customization as a standard post, meaning you are limited to the features available within the platform.
How long can posts and stories remain active on Instagram?
Posts on Instagram remain visible in the feed indefinitely. Stories, on the other hand, are only available for 24 hours after they’re posted.
