Why do people do Instagram Stories instead of posts?
The rise of Instagram Stories has resulted in people posting fewer normal Instagram posts. Stories are somewhat similar to posts but provide users with an array of new features that diversify the content available to view on the app. From allowing users to display more creativity in their stories, to being able to post any length of content, Instagram Stories are far more versatile and engaging than posts.
Creative Content
Users have the ability to include a variety of media such as images and videos, as well as stickers, GIFs and drawings which adds a more creative touch to the stories. This level of personalisation wasn’t possible with the old posts and provides users with a canvas to express and show off their creativity.
Instantaneous Updates
Posts are very permanent and are clearly visible on a user’s profile for a long time, which froze some users from displaying fresher content due to the fear of over populating their profiles. The Stories, however, have an expiration time of 24 hours, this time constraint has been an encouraging factor for users to post more frequently and keep their stories updated.
Length of Content
Stories provide users with the capability to post more than just a single image or video, they can now share several images, a video or even a boomerang in the single story. The ability to post in stories for longer durations with ease and enhancing their content with various forms of media have made stories a far more engaging content.
Interactive Feature
Not only is there an interactive feature that allows users to ask followers questions in the form of a poll or the Q&A sticker, but viewers too can be interactive by replying in the form of a text sticker. This was a major addition to the stories as it kept the viewers engaged in the stories and also enabled people to build a relationship and even have discussions through it.
Conclusion
Instagram Stories have become more popular than normal posts, mainly because of the new features they provide. Among these, the creativity, instantaneity, length and interactivity are the most crucial ones which are contributing towards the success of stories. In the end it boils down to the user’s preference whether they would like to post more stories or go old school and continue to post avatars and ordinary images to their profiles.
5. How can using Instagram Stories help people increase their followers and engagement?
Instagram Stories can help people increase their followers and engagement by providing a more personal look into the daily goings-on of the account master’s life. Using Instagram Stories to post interesting content, go “live”, join Instagram challenges and run promotions will help to draw followers in and keep them active in the account. Additionally, using interactive features such as polls, questions, and GIFs will help to increase engagement and interaction with followers. Finally, tagging relevant accounts and locations in Instagram Stories can also help to increase followers and engagement.
2. What are some of the major differences between Instagram Stories and posts?
Instagram stories are more ephemeral in nature than posts, as they have a 24 hour lifespan before they are removed from the platform. Additionally, they are more casual and are more popular for sharing everyday moments, whereas posts are better for showcasing polished images and more permanent content. Stories also offer a number of features that are not available for posts, such as the ability for users to add text, stickers, polls, GIFs, and more. Lastly, depending on their reach settings, stories are visible to either just people the user is following or their entire followers list, whereas a post can reach users of the platform who aren’t following the account.
