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2020 Instagram Features Recap

2020 Instagram features

2020 wasn’t the best year for…well, anyone, but Instagram made the world’s remote transition interesting and impactful with the new features that were rolled out throughout the year. We’ll countdown our favorite IG features and how to use them.

Favorite Feature 1: Reels

IG Reels are our favorite feature launched in 2020. Reels are similar to Tik Tok videos. They’re 15-30 second clips that can be made with audio or video with effects added. It’s better than a typical recording platform because you can splice pieces together instead of creating the perfect clip in one shot.

Favorite Feature 2: FB Messenger + IG 

FB Messenger and IG merged in 2020. Merging means that you can use FB or IG DM in the same spot. Not only did the two merge, but they added a ton of new features.

  • Watch Together
  • Personalized Chat (Themes and Colors)
  • Vanish Mode 
  • Selfie Stickers
  • Animated Message Effects
  • And more

Favorite Feature 3: Vanishing Mode

One of the reasons we love IG so much is the constant evolution, including taking what we love about other social media apps. Vanishing Mode is similar to Snapchat’s disappearing act. This feature, admittedly, is one that is a result of the FB + IG DM merger, but it’s a feature we like. It’s simple to use, and we love the alert when someone screenshots a message. 

Favorite Feature 4: IGTV Auto-Captions

IGTV is a great tool to share content, and it’s one that we use a lot in marketing. Captions, however, were difficult to add. Enter auto captions! Auto captions automatically caption an IGTV video. Captions are necessary for those who scroll without sound on, and in 2020, they became a little easier to use.

Favorite Feature 5: QR Code

We love the 2020 updates to the QR Code feature. Previously, you could create a QR code, but it could only be accessed from IG directly. With the update, it can be accessed from any camera like most other QR codes. It’s not a waste to put a QR code on materials when it connects simply and directly. 

There are a ton of other features we love since we Instagram. Share a few of your favorites!