Instagram has introduced new features aimed at enhancing the Valentine’s Day experience for its users. The enhancements, rolled out by the Meta-owned platform, are not immediately apparent and can only be accessed through specific interactions within the app on both Android and iOS devices. One feature is accessible via the Notes section on the direct messages (DM) page, while the other has been integrated into Instagram Stories.
The first new addition allows users to trigger a floating or exploding hearts animation when certain Valentine’s Day-themed phrases are used in their Notes. Terms such as “Happy Valentine’s Day,” “Happy Vday,” or simply “Vday” will set off a DM alert that unleashes the animated hearts across the screen. Additionally, tapping on a note that includes these keywords will produce the same visual effect.
The second feature pertains to Stories. When creating a new story, users can discover a special pink @mention sticker adorned with two hearts on either side. Tagging another user with this mention and subsequently posting the story will also activate the floating hearts animation. Moreover, tapping on another user’s story featuring this mention will lead to the same animated result.
Although these features have begun to roll out, they are not yet universally available to all users. While designed for Valentine’s Day, the features are expected to remain live in the app until Thursday, per the company’s announcements.
In addition to the Valentine’s Day updates, Instagram is also exploring artificial intelligence (AI) enhancements. Recent reports indicate that the platform is developing an AI feature dubbed Write with AI. This tool aims to assist users in refining their messages in chats through rewriting, paraphrasing, and stylistic adjustments. However, comprehensive details on the feature’s functionalities have yet to be disclosed.
