Instagram includes Notes feature to Reels, Feed posts

Instagram has announced the expansion of its Notes messaging feature, allowing users to leave Notes on both Reels and feed posts within the app as social media today's website reported recently. 

As seen in this example, users can now add a note from the messaging menu on Reels, offering another way to interact with friends. Similarly, on feed posts, followers can share a Note directly on the post, functioning like Post-It messages attached to updates.

Notes are temporary, lasting for three days, and can only be left by mutual follows, providing a simple option to spark interaction among friends. The feature has proven popular, particularly among younger users. Instagram reported that teen users create notes at ten times the rate of non-teens.

Initially launched as an inbox-only feature, Notes has since expanded to profiles with additional features. The testing of Notes on Reels and feed posts began in May.

Instagram explained, "The new feature comes as people continue to prioritize more private interactions with their mutuals and Close Friends on IG, with early testing showing that people enjoy leaving quick thoughts and commentary on Notes for friends and mutuals to see, especially on comedic content."

Meta aims to keep young people engaged, as many have migrated to TikTok and Snap. Thus, Meta is emphasizing Notes to retain its younger user base. Instagram is also raising awareness of Notes with new notifications about people’s first Note.

Instagram says that Notes on Reels and feed posts will offer more ways for users to react to posts in real-time, share hot takes, and hype up their friends, highlighting the feature’s appeal to younger users.