Instagram Update Brings New Interactive Sticker Options for Stories

Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has introduced a wide range of new interactive sticker features for Instagram Stories. Instagram Stories continues to be a major way for users to share content outside traditional posts.

In a blog post, Meta detailed several new stickers being added to Instagram Stories. One innovative new option is the "Reveal" sticker, which blurs out the Story contents until the viewer directly messages the poster.

How to use Reveal Sticker:

• Create a story, tap the stickers icon, then tap on the icon that says Reveal.

• Once you select the Reveal sticker, you will be prompted to type a hint for friends about what they might find behind your blurred story.

• You can tap the “Preview” icon in the bottom left hand corner to see how your story will appear to friends.

• Once you post your story, your friends will only be able to see your story content if they DM you, but don’t worry, you do not need to approve the blur to be lifted.

In addition, users can now make stickers directly from their photos using a new "Cutouts" sticker. It allows people to extract and reuse portions of images as custom stickers.

How to use Cutout Sticker:

• Tap the stickers icon at the top, then tap on the scissors icon that says “Cutouts.”

• Select a photo or video with a clear subject from your gallery.

• A sticker will be automatically generated. If it’s not what you wanted, you can manually select the object you want for your sticker. Note: you can only pick one object.

• Tap the “Use sticker” button to add it to your reel or story.

The new "Frames" sticker transform photos into nostalgic Polaroid-style prints.

How to use Frames Sticker:

• Create a story, tap the stickers icon, then tap on the Frames sticker.

• This will open up your photo gallery, where you can select one image to be framed.

• Once you select an image, you can also add a caption if you choose. It will automatically add the date and timestamp of when the photo was taken.

• After you post your story, your friends and followers can shake their phone or tap the “shake to reveal” button to develop the image inside the frame.

Additionally, the popular "Add Yours" feature is being combined with music stickers through a new "Add Yours Music" option. It enables people to share the song that fits their mood and allow followers to contribute their own music selections to the Story.

How to use Add Yours feature:

• Tap the stickers icon, then tap on the icon that says “Add Yours Music.”

• Once selected, tap on “+ / Add Music” to select a song from Instagram’s music library.

• Once you post your story, your friends will be able to add their own song using the “Add Yours” button.