Instagram has added a new, simple way for users to engage with Stories, with the new heart button which enables you to ‘like’ any Story in your feed, and lets the creator know, without having to start up a DM conversation. This function was live since the 14th of February 2022, allowing you to spread some love by liking people’s stories without sending a DM.
Stories likes do not show a count and are not public- only the creator will be able to see them. Creators will be able to view their Story likes in their Story insights, with a small heart icon added next to the viewers’ name in the view listing.
This new feature could be a handy way to increase Stories engagement, while it might also add another element into Instagram’s algorithm that ranks the Stories in your feed according to what is most likely to be of interest. However, Instagram has yet to clarify that this will be a ranking factor at this stage.
It could also be a good way to learn more about broader user response, while also providing a simple feedback mechanism for creators. It always feels better to see how people are responding, and reducing the pressure around DM responses for stories seems like a positive step.
This also aligns with TikTok-style short video clips, which rely on user engagement signals for both ranking and engagement. Instagram has already implemented this on Reels.
It may seem like a small update, but it could have a big impact in the long run, and it’ll be interesting to see how Instagram looks to use the insights, and whether that will help boost user engagement.
