Instagram is one of the most used social media platforms. The newest Instagram updates and features are made to ensure that no moment is left uncaptured. By all means, with the rise of the short-video content format popularity, Instagram has made some new updates in mid-2022 to provide content creators with easier ways to create Reels. Instagram's new Reels features will help you create better Reels, which in turn could get you more Instagram engagement from your audience. Here are a few newest features updates on Instagram;

Instagram Allows You to Pin Instagram Posts 

One of the newest features updated, Instagram allows users to pin posts. Instagram users can tap on a photo or reel on their Instagram account by;

• Choose which images or Reels you want to pin, you can pin up to 3 posts on your Instagram page.
• Press the three dots on the top right of the post.
• Select “Pin to your profile.”

After you select the post you wanted to pin, you have to know that pinned posts tend to receive higher engagement since these posts are the most visible content on Instagram profiles. Thus, those posts are the best leveraged for directory, promos, reminders, invites, and evergreen content.

The other thing that you need to keep in mind is that recency is good for Instagram algorithms. 

Pro tip: Create a carousel that lets the audience know who you are, what they can learn or get from your Instagram, and where they can find about you on other platforms. Make an introduction video to show your audience about you, your identity, goals, and values. Put the call to action on the video such as turning on notifications, and put your other resources or social media platforms you're active on. You can also make it a directory for new audiences or visitors of your Instagram. All in all, pin your best performance posts to increase your Instagram engagement.

Instagram Algorithm Prioritizes Original Content

With the newest updates, Instagram is trying to differentiate itself from other social media platforms. Thus, Instagram's newest feature updates in 2002 are designed to discourage you from reposting TikTok videos on Instagram. 

The newest update Instagram algorithms favor original posts. Therefore, you need to find ways to keep your content different across other platforms. Instagram wants to help you create amazing Reels within its app. That's why it continues to update its Reels feature to include all the tools you need to create high-quality, engaging short-form video content.

These are a few things that are needs to be highlighted to boost your Instagram engagement;

• Original content will be valued more compared to reposted content
• Instagram is trying to differentiate the app from other platforms, make sure you create original, new content on Instagram.
• Instagram is encouraging creators to come up with original content, not content that is reposted from other platforms.

Instagram as A Whole New Video-Based Social Media Platform

Instagram no longer remains just a photo-sharing app. As part of the newest features update, Instagram made a few features that you can add to your Instagram video content. In short, Instagram encourages you to create more content in video format.

Pro tips: since the newest Instagram algorithms updates favor more video content, especially Reels, you can still post quotes or carousels with a twist. You can still create carousels, infographics, and quotes and then add audio to put them on Reels.

Instagram Reels Providing Built-in, Ready-to-Use Templates

Needless to say, Reels are already giving a big impact on Instagram engagement. However, Instagram's newest update adds yet another layer of engagement. Instagram made it possible for users to use some ready-to-use Reels templates. Thus, it is giving Instagram users a bunch of new content ideas, increasing Instagram engagement and reach because people can also recreate content using the template that you use. Furthermore, this new update saves video editing time and also gives you extra content ideas quickly.

You Can Film Reels Up to 90 Seconds

Instagram has added up its time limit for Reels from 60 seconds to 90 seconds. Short, concise, to-the-point videos are still users' favorite, but now you have the option to make 90 seconds of full-length videos. This means you have more space and time to be creative. However, it also means you have 30 more seconds to keep your audience engaged, so don't use up the full 90 seconds if you don't have to.

This new update allows users to do more with their content, treating audiences to more specific content pieces occasionally, such as vlogs, tutorials, and a more in-depth content piece.

Engagement Stickers for Reels

Engagement stickers have been available for quite some time on Instagram—you are already familiar with them in your Stories, and now you can use them in your Reels too. The whole idea behind Instagram stickers is to get more engagement from your followers or audience. A good example of this is Instagram's "Add Yours" sticker in Stories. The interactive stickers on Reels will function like those on Instagram Stories. This means users can incorporate polls, quizzes, and emoji sliders, among many others, into their Reels.

This update adds yet another layer of engagement. When used wisely, your viewers don't think twice about tapping your sticker, so be intentional about how you use this feature in your Reels. Let your audience give reactions, for example, let your audience choose between this or that, ask people if they agree with your post and/or if they resonated with your post

Instagram Shows DM Response Time

The last but not least feature update is Instagram showing users how fast or how slow your dm response time is. This new update can encourage you to be more actively engaged with your Instagram followers or audiences who sent a DM to you.