Instagram is rolling out a new feature that allows users to leave comments on Instagram Stories, adding a more public way to engage with these ephemeral posts.
Previously, any response to a Story would be sent as a private message, visible only to the person who posted it. Now, with the introduction of comments, followers can interact more openly, though this feature comes with limitations.
Only people who follow the poster and are followed back by them will be able to leave comments on their Stories. Instagram has also made these comments temporary, lasting only as long as the Story itself—up to 24 hours.
Users will have the option to enable or disable comments for any Story they share. It remains unclear whether these comments will be archived after the Story expires, and Instagram has yet to provide clarification on this point.
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This update is part of Instagram’s broader strategy to enhance user engagement on platforms like Reels and Stories, which the company increasingly sees as key areas for interaction among friends. Earlier this year, Instagram introduced disappearing “notes” on grid posts and Reels, designed to draw more attention to how users’ friends are interacting with content. These notes, which expire after three days, can be viewed by mutual followers or a select group of close friends.
In addition to the new commenting feature, Instagram announced that some likes on posts will now appear more prominently as floating hearts, similar to how they are displayed on disappearing notes. This change aims to make user interactions more visible and engaging across the platform.
