Instagram is primarily a platform for sharing photos and videos. But there are also a few ways to post text messages — and with the launch of the new Notes feature, you've now got one more way to write out your thoughts.
Notes are short messages (up to 60 characters) that last for 24 hours, and stay pinned to the top of your mutuals' direct messaging menus. When you tap on and reply to someone's Note, it'll immediately open a DM conversation with that user.
Think of Notes as a cross between Instagram Stories and old AIM Away Messages. Here's how to post one.
How to post an Instagram Note
Notes are written and kept in your DM menu, the same page you use to send private messages to people.
1. Open Instagram and tap the Messenger logo in the top-right corner of your feed to open your direct messaging page.
2. You'll see a series of bubbles at the top of the direct messages page, each one representing a mutual of yours that's posted a Note. Tap the bubble that contains your profile picture.
3. Type out your Note and choose who gets to see it: Your mutuals (the users that you follow, and follow you back), or your Close Friends list.
4. When you're ready to post, tap Share in the top-right.
This will post your Note, letting all your mutuals or Close Friends see it for up to 24 hours.
You can post another Note — or delete the one you've already posted — by tapping the bubble with your picture again. Any new Note will replace the old one.
