Instagram has unveiled a new suite of interactive sticker options aimed at enhancing user creativity within its Stories feature. Frequently utilized for sharing a variety of content—ranging from images and videos to Reels—Instagram Stories allows users to mix and match elements, including text and images. The latest sticker additions are designed to foster greater self-expression among users, including the ability to create stickers from existing photos stored in their albums.
In a recent blog post, Meta announced these innovative features, highlighting the Reveal sticker as a standout addition. This sticker conceals the content of a Story by blurring it, compelling viewers to send a direct message (DM) to the poster in order to unlock the full content. Importantly, no prior approval from the poster is required; once the DM is sent, the viewer gains access to the entire Story.
Additionally, a new Add Yours Music sticker will enable followers to contribute their music selections to the poster’s Story. This feature mirrors the existing Add Yours stickers for images and Reels, allowing viewers to engage by posting their Stories with the same sticker, complete with their chosen images and music.
Instagram Stories will also introduce a Frames sticker option, which transforms any uploaded photo into a Polaroid-style print. Furthermore, the Cutouts sticker allows users to create unique stickers by extracting cutouts from various images, enhancing the customization of Stories.
On the accessibility front, Instagram has rolled out a new feature for its iOS app, aimed at easing the process of capturing and sharing Stories. iOS users now have access to a lock screen widget that directly opens the Story Camera, enabling them to take photos or videos and publish them as Stories without having to launch the main Instagram app.
Recently, Meta also announced plans to test features that will blur messages containing nudity, in order to safeguard teenage users and reduce the likelihood of scammers reaching vulnerable individuals. This move follows increasing concerns regarding the potential addictive nature of Meta-owned platforms and their impact on the mental well-being of younger audiences.
