How to Add Highlights on Instagram (Step-by-Step Guide for 2026)

Last Updated on March 6, 2026 by Himanshu Rawat

Ever shared something on your Instagram Story that you wished could stay longer than 24 hours? That’s where Instagram Highlights come in. They help you save your best Stories right on your profile — so your followers can view them anytime, even after they’ve disappeared from your Story.

Whether you’re showing off products, sharing travel memories, or answering FAQs, Highlights make your profile look clean, organized, and professional.

In this blog, we’ll show you how to add highlights on Instagram in a few simple steps — no tech skills needed!

What Are Instagram Highlights?

Instagram Highlights are collections of your Stories that stay permanently on your profile instead of disappearing after 24 hours.

They appear right below your bio and can be organized into categories. Each Highlight can contain multiple Stories grouped together under a single title.

For example, you might create Highlights like:

• New Arrivals – Showcase your latest products
• Reviews – Display customer testimonials
• FAQs – Answer common questions
• Tutorials – Share tips or how-to videos
• Behind the Scenes – Show your brand personality

Because Highlights stay on your profile, they help new visitors quickly understand your content, products, or services.

However, Stories can only be added to Highlights if they are:

• Still active within the 24-hour Story window, or
• Saved in your Story Archive.

Before You Start: Turn On Story Archive

To make sure you can always create Highlights later, Instagram should automatically save your Stories in the Story Archive.

Here’s how to check:

1. Open Instagram and go to your profile.
2. Tap the three-line menu in the top-right corner.
3. Tap Archive.
4. Make sure Save Story to Archive is turned on.

Once this setting is enabled, every Story you post will be saved automatically so you can add it to Highlights anytime.

How to Add Highlights on Instagram (Step-by-Step)

There are two easy ways to add highlights on Instagram. You can do it from a current Story or from your Story archive. Let’s go through both methods:

Method 1: Add a Highlight from Your Active Story

If your Story is still live (within 24 hours), follow these steps:

Step 1. Open Instagram and tap your profile picture to view your active Story.

Step 2. Find the Story you want to save and tap Highlight at the bottom of the screen.

Step 3. Tap + (New) to create a new Highlight, or choose an existing Highlight.

Step 4. Enter a name for your Highlight.

Step 5. Tap Add (iPhone) or Done (Android).

Your Story will now appear in the Highlight section below your bio and will remain there even after the Story expires.

Important: Do not delete the Story before 24 hours. Removing it early may prevent it from saving properly.

Method 2: Add a Highlight from Archived Stories

If your Story has already expired, don’t worry! You can still add it from your archive.

Step 1. Open Instagram and go to your profile.

Step 2. Tap the “+” icon under Highlights.

Step 3. Select the archived Stories you want to include.

Step 4. Tap Next.

Step 5. Choose a cover image if you want.

Step 6. Enter a name for your Highlight.

Step 7. Tap Add or Done.

This method helps you organize past Stories into categories like:

• Customer Reviews
• Product Tutorials
• FAQs
• Shipping Info

How to Customize Your Instagram Highlights

Once you add highlights on Instagram, you can make them look even better by customizing the name and cover image. This helps your profile look more organized and on-brand — especially if you’re using Instagram for business.

Rename a Highlight

• Go to your profile.
• Tap and hold the Highlight you want to change.

• Tap “Edit Highlight.”
• Tap the name at the top and type a new one.
• Tap “Done.”

Keep the name short and clear, like:

• “About Me”
• “Products”
• “Tutorials”
• “FAQs”

Change the Cover Image

1. In the same “Edit Highlight” menu, tap “Edit Cover.”
2. Choose an image from the stories inside the Highlight or upload one from your phone gallery.
3. Adjust the size and position of the image.
4. Tap “Done.”

Pro Tip: If you want all your Highlight covers to match, you can design custom icons or use free ones from sites like Canva.

How to Edit or Delete Instagram Highlights

After you add highlights on Instagram, you might want to update them later — maybe by adding new Stories, removing old ones, or changing the name. Here’s how you can do that easily:

How to Edit a Highlight

• Go to your profile and tap the Highlight you want to edit.
• Tap the three dots (⋮) at the bottom-right corner.

• Tap “Edit Highlight.”

• From here, you can:
  • Change the name
  • Add or remove Stories
  • Change the cover image
• Tap “Done” when you’re finished.

How to Delete a Highlight

If you don’t want a Highlight anymore, here’s how to remove it:

1. On your profile, tap and hold the Highlight you want to delete.
2. Tap “Delete Highlight.”
3. Confirm by tapping “Delete.”

That’s it! The Highlight will be removed from your profile, but don’t worry — the Stories inside it will still stay in your archive (unless you’ve deleted them separately).

Smart Tips for Using Instagram Highlights

Now that you know how to add highlights on Instagram, here are a few simple tips to use them in the best way:

1. Keep It Organized

Group your Stories into categories like:

• “Behind the Scenes”
• “Customer Reviews”
• “Tutorials”
• “New Arrivals”

This makes it easier for visitors to quickly find what they’re looking for.

2. Use Clear, Short Names

Stick to short and simple Highlight names. Try to use one or two words — that way, it doesn’t get cut off on your profile.

3. Match Your Covers

Use matching Highlight cover images to keep your profile looking clean and professional. You can design custom covers using Canva or download free icons online.

4. Show Off What Matters

If you’re a small business, use Highlights to:

• Share product demos
• Post customer feedback
• Answer common questions
• Show sale or shipping info

5. Keep It Fresh

Don’t forget to update your Highlights regularly. Add new Stories and remove outdated ones to keep everything current and useful.

Final Thoughts

Instagram Highlights are a simple but powerful way to make your profile more useful and professional.

They allow you to keep important Stories visible even after the 24-hour limit and organize your best content so visitors can quickly learn about your brand, products, or services.

With clear titles, simple covers, and regularly updated content, Highlights can act like a mini menu for your Instagram profile, helping new visitors find key information quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)