Instagram Highlights Guide — Create, Organize & Grow (2026)
Complete guide to Instagram Highlights — how to create, organize, name, and design covers for your Highlights. Best practices for using Highlights to showcase your best content.
Quick Answer
Instagram Highlights are curated collections of Stories that stay on your profile permanently. To create one: post a Story → tap the heart icon at the bottom → tap "Highlight" → choose an existing Highlight or create a new one. Highlights appear as circles below your bio on your profile. Use them to showcase your best content, organize by topic, and give new visitors a quick overview of who you are.
What Are Instagram Highlights?
Highlights are saved Stories that appear permanently on your profile. Unlike regular Stories that disappear after 24 hours, Highlights stay until you remove them. They're displayed as circular thumbnails below your bio and can be organized by topic.
Why Highlights Matter
- First impression — new visitors see your Highlights before your posts
- Evergreen content — your best Stories stay visible permanently
- Organization — group content by topic for easy navigation
- Branding — custom covers create a polished, professional look
How to Create a Highlight
- Post a Story (or select an existing one from your archive).
- While viewing the Story, tap the heart icon (Highlight) at the bottom.
- Tap New to create a new Highlight, or select an existing one.
- Name your Highlight and choose a cover image.
- Tap Add (or Done).
Adding Stories to an Existing Highlight
- Go to your profile.
- Long-press the Highlight you want to add to.
- Tap Edit Highlight.
- Tap Add at the bottom and select Stories.
- Tap Done.
How to Organize Your Highlights
Naming Tips
- Keep names short (1-3 words) — long names get truncated.
- Use consistent formatting — all lowercase, all caps, or title case.
- Use emojis as names for a visual approach (📸 Travel, 🍕 Food, 💪 Fitness).
- Group related content together.
Suggested Highlight Categories
- About Me — introduction, background, fun facts
- Services/Products — what you offer
- Testimonials — client reviews and results
- Behind the Scenes — process, workspace, team
- Travel — destinations and adventures
- Tips — educational content and how-tos
- FAQ — frequently asked questions
- New Here? — onboarding for new followers
How to Design Highlight Covers
Highlight covers are the circular thumbnails visible on your profile. Custom covers create a cohesive, professional look.
Cover Specifications
- Size: 1080 × 1920 pixels (same as Stories)
- Visible area: Center circle (the corners are cropped)
- Format: JPG or PNG
Tips for Highlight Covers
- Use consistent colors, fonts, and style across all covers.
- Keep text short and centered — it needs to be readable in a small circle.
- Use simple icons or symbols for a clean look.
- Create covers in Canva, Photoshop, or any design tool.
- Match your cover style to your overall brand aesthetic.
How to Rearrange Highlights
- Go to your profile.
- Long-press a Highlight.
- Drag it to the desired position.
- Release to drop it in the new position.
Alternatively, tap Edit Highlight → Edit Cover to change the cover image, or Rename to change the name.
How to Delete a Highlight
- Go to your profile.
- Long-press the Highlight you want to delete.
- Tap Delete Highlight.
- Confirm. The Stories remain in your archive — only the Highlight is removed.
Common Questions
Can people see when I add or remove Stories from a Highlight?
No. Instagram does not notify anyone when you add or remove Stories from a Highlight. The changes are silent.
Do Highlights count as Stories?
No. Highlights are separate from Stories. They don't appear in the Story bar at the top of the feed and don't expire after 24 hours.
Can I hide a Highlight from specific people?
No. Highlights are visible to everyone who can see your Stories. If you have a private account, only your approved followers can see your Highlights.
How many Highlights can I have?
There's no official limit, but Instagram displays Highlights in a horizontal scrollable row. Having too many (20+) can look cluttered. Aim for 5-10 well-organized Highlights.
Related Guides
- Instagram Story Ideas — 100+ Story ideas to fill your Highlights
- Instagram Profile Picture Guide — complete your profile
- Instagram Grid Planner — plan your profile layout
- Instagram Growth Hub — complete growth strategies
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