Instagram is introducing a new feature that allows users to leave comments on Instagram Stories, adding a public interaction option to the platform’s popular ephemeral content. Until now, the only way to respond to a Story was by sending a private message directly to the person who posted it. This new feature changes that dynamic by enabling comments that can be seen by others, though with some limitations.
The ability to comment on a Story is restricted to mutual followers-only those who both follow the poster and are followed back by them will have the option to leave a comment. Instagram has provided an explanatory video to show how this feature works in practice. These comments, like the Stories themselves, will only be visible for 24 hours. However, Instagram spokesperson Emily Norfolk has noted that users will have the option to enable or disable comments on each Story they share. It’s still unclear whether these comments will be archived once the Story disappears, and Instagram has yet to provide further details on that.
Instagram’s decision to add comments to Stories is part of a broader trend where the company is focusing on features like Reels and Stories as central hubs for user engagement. These areas are increasingly seen as key spaces where friends interact with each other, rather than merely being platforms for passive content consumption.
Earlier this summer, Instagram introduced disappearing “notes” that users could add to grid posts and Reels. These notes are a type of comment designed to draw attention to how friends are engaging with content, and they expire after three days. Users can control who sees these notes by selecting either mutual followers or a curated list of close friends. The temporary notes are prominently displayed on top of the post, making them more noticeable to others.
In addition to the new commenting feature, Instagram has announced another update: some likes on posts will now appear as floating hearts, similar to the likes on disappearing notes. This visual change is likely aimed at making interactions more engaging and visually dynamic, further enhancing the user experience on the platform.
