Instagram highlights are a popular feature that allows users to showcase important moments and stories on their profiles. While creating highlights is a straightforward process on mobile devices, many users are unaware that they can also make highlights on Instagram using their laptops. Whether you prefer the convenience of a larger screen or find it easier to manage your content on a computer, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of creating highlights on Instagram using your laptop.
In today’s digital age, social media platforms like Instagram have transformed the way we share our lives and connect with others. With its visually captivating format and diverse range of features, Instagram has become a go-to platform for individuals and businesses alike. One of the standout features on Instagram is highlights, which allow users to curate and organize their best content in a way that is easily accessible to their followers. While most users are accustomed to creating highlights on their mobile devices, it is important to note that this feature can also be utilized on a laptop. This guide aims to demystify the process, ensuring you can effortlessly create and manage highlights on Instagram using your laptop. So, let’s dive into the simple steps that will help you make the most out of this feature and elevate your Instagram profile.
Step 1: Logging in to Instagram on your laptop
A. Accessing Instagram through your preferred web browser
To make highlights on Instagram using your laptop, the first step is to access the Instagram website through your preferred web browser. Open your web browser and type in “www.instagram.com” in the address bar.
B. Entering your username and password
Once you have accessed the Instagram website, you will see the login page. Enter your username and password in the respective fields. If you have forgotten your password, click on the “Forgot password?” link and follow the instructions to reset it.
C. Navigating to your profile
After successfully logging in to your account, you will be directed to the Instagram homepage. To access your profile page, click on the profile icon located in the top right corner of the screen. This will take you to your personal profile where you can view your posts, stories, and highlights.
By logging in to Instagram on your laptop, you gain several advantages over using the mobile app. Firstly, the larger screen size allows for a better overview, making it easier to organize and manage your highlights. Secondly, the laptop’s keyboard and mouse enable faster and more precise navigation, enhancing the overall editing experience. Finally, working on a laptop allows for the use of design tools and software, giving you more creative options when customizing your highlights.
In the next section, we will explore Step 2: Identifying the highlights section on your profile page.
IStep 2: Identifying the highlights section
A. Locating the highlights section on your profile page
Once you have logged in to Instagram on your laptop, the next step is to locate the highlights section on your profile page. The highlights section is a designated area where you can organize and showcase your Instagram stories. To find it, navigate to your profile by clicking on your profile picture or username located at the top right corner of the screen.
B. Understanding the purpose and appearance of highlights
Highlights serve as a way to curate and save your favorite Instagram stories beyond their usual 24-hour lifespan. They are displayed prominently on your profile, just below your bio section, allowing your followers to easily access and view these important stories.
Highlights appear as a row of circular icons, with each icon representing a different highlight. The cover image for each highlight is the first frame of the story you choose to include. When someone clicks on a highlight, a reel of stories will play consecutively, allowing viewers to catch up on the highlights of your Instagram journey.
It’s important to choose cover images that accurately represent the content of each highlight and make them visually appealing to entice your followers to click and explore.
By utilizing the highlights feature, you can categorize your stories and create a more organized and engaging Instagram profile. Instead of having your stories disappear after 24 hours, you can now showcase them permanently on your profile.
C. Previewing and saving the changes
Before finalizing the changes to your highlight, it’s a good idea to preview how it will appear on your profile. This allows you to ensure that the stories are in the desired order and the cover image accurately represents the content.
To preview the highlight, simply click on it within the highlights section. Instagram will show you a preview of the selected highlight, allowing you to make any necessary adjustments before saving.
Once you are satisfied with the preview, click on the “Save” button to confirm your changes. The highlight will now be updated on your profile for all your followers to see.
Remember, highlights are a great way to showcase the best moments of your Instagram stories, so take your time to organize and curate them effectively to create a visually appealing and engaging experience for your followers.
RecommendedStep 3: Organizing your stories into categories
A. Deciding on the main themes or categories for your highlights
Before you start creating your highlights on Instagram, it is important to decide on the main themes or categories that you want to organize your stories into. This will help you create a cohesive and organized profile that is easy for your followers to navigate.
Think about what types of stories you frequently post on Instagram and identify the common themes or topics among them. For example, if you often share travel stories, you could create categories such as “Beach Getaways,” “Adventure Travel,” “City Explorations,” etc.
B. Selecting the stories that fit each category
Once you have identified your main themes or categories, go through your Instagram stories and select the ones that fit each category. You can choose stories that you have already posted or plan ahead and create new ones specifically for your highlights.
Consider the content, visuals, and captions of each story when deciding which category it belongs to. Make sure that the stories you select accurately represent the theme or topic of each category and provide value to your audience.
C. Ordering the stories within each category
After selecting the stories for each category, it’s time to decide on the order in which they should appear within each highlight. This will help create a coherent narrative or flow as your followers view your highlights.
Think about the storytelling aspect of your highlights and arrange the stories in a way that makes sense. For example, if you are showcasing a travel destination, you can start with an introduction story, followed by stories about the sights, activities, and local cuisine.
To change the order of the stories within a highlight, simply click on the highlight and select the “Edit Highlight” option. From there, you can drag and drop the stories into the desired order.
By organizing your stories into categories and ordering them thoughtfully, you can create captivating highlights that engage your audience and showcase your content in a visually appealing manner. This attention to detail will make your profile more professional and attract more followers.
Step 4: Creating a new highlight
A. Clicking on the “+ New” button on the highlights section
To create a new highlight on Instagram using your laptop, start by accessing the highlights section on your profile page. Once you are on your profile, scroll down until you see the “Highlights” section, which is located right below your profile picture and bio.
In the highlights section, you will find a button with a plus sign that says “+ New” on it. This button allows you to start the process of creating a new highlight for your Instagram profile.
Click on the “+ New” button to proceed to the next step of creating a highlight.
B. Choosing a cover image for the highlight
After clicking on the “+ New” button, a window will pop up giving you the option to select a cover image for your new highlight. The cover image will serve as a representative thumbnail for your highlight, giving viewers a glimpse into its content.
You have two options for choosing a cover image. The first option is to select an image from the stories that you plan to add to the highlight. Simply scroll through the stories and choose the one that you think best represents the highlight’s theme or category.
Alternatively, you can choose to upload an image from your laptop as the cover image. This gives you the flexibility to use a custom image that may not be in your stories.
Once you have selected or uploaded a cover image, click on the “Next” button to move on to the next step.
C. Naming the highlight
The last step in creating a new highlight is to give it a name. This is an important step as it helps you and your viewers easily identify and understand the content of the highlight.
Click on the text field next to “Name” and enter a descriptive title for your highlight. Consider using concise and catchy phrases that convey the essence of the highlight’s theme or category.
After naming your highlight, click on the “Add” button to finalize the process. Congratulations! You have successfully created a new highlight on Instagram using your laptop.
By following these simple steps, you can have a visually appealing and well-organized profile that showcases your best stories and moments. Creating highlights on your laptop not only allows for a larger screen and easier navigation but also gives you more control over customizing the cover images and organizing your content.
Continue reading to learn how to add stories to your highlight and customize its appearance further.
Step 5: Adding stories to your highlight
A. Selecting the stories to be added
Once you have created a new highlight, it’s time to start adding stories to it. To do this, navigate to your profile page and click on the highlight you wish to add stories to.
On the right side of your screen, you will see the currently selected highlight with a “Add” button. Click on this button to proceed.
A pop-up window will appear, showing all of your stories that are eligible to be added to the highlight. These stories may include both photos and videos that you have previously uploaded to your Instagram account.
You can select multiple stories by clicking on each one individually. As you select stories, you will notice that a blue checkmark appears in the bottom right corner of the selected stories.
B. Adjusting the order of the stories within the highlight
After selecting the stories you want to include, you have the option to rearrange their order within the highlight. This allows you to create a cohesive and visually pleasing flow for your highlight.
To adjust the order, simply click and drag the stories to the desired positions. You will see a preview of how the stories will appear in the highlight as you drag them around.
C. Saving the changes
Once you are satisfied with the selection and order of your stories, click the “Done” button at the bottom right corner of the pop-up window. This will save your changes and add the selected stories to the highlight.
You will be redirected back to your profile page, where you can now see the updated highlight with the newly added stories. The cover image of the highlight will be the first story you added, but don’t worry – you will have the chance to customize it in the next step.
Remember to repeat this process for each highlight you create and want to add stories to.
Adding stories to your highlights is a great way to curate your content and showcase specific moments or themes. It allows your followers to easily access and explore your best stories even after they have disappeared from your main profile.
By following this step-by-step guide, you can create meaningful and visually appealing highlights on Instagram using your laptop. Now that you have added stories to your highlight, it’s time to move on to the next step and customize the cover image.
Step 6: Customizing the highlight cover
A. Choosing a cover image from your laptop
Once you have created a new highlight and added stories to it, the next step is to customize the cover image. This cover image is what will be displayed on your profile, representing the highlight category. To begin customizing the cover image, you will need to select an image from your laptop.
To choose a cover image, click on the highlight you want to customize. This will open up the highlight and display all the stories you have added to it. At the bottom right corner of the highlight, you will see a button with three dots. Click on this button to access additional options for your highlight.
Among the options that appear, select “Edit Highlight.” This will take you to a new page where you can edit the name, cover, and more settings for the highlight. Look for the “Cover” section on this page and click on the “Edit Cover” button.
A new window will open, showing you the images on your laptop. Browse through your files and select the image you want to use as the cover for the highlight. It could be a photo, a graphic, or any image that represents the theme of the highlight.
B. Adjusting the size and position of the cover image
Once you have chosen the cover image, you may need to adjust its size and position to ensure it looks visually appealing on your profile. Instagram provides the option to zoom in or out on the image and move it around.
To adjust the size, use the zoom in and zoom out buttons that appear when you hover over the image. You can also click and drag the image to reposition it. Take your time to find the right size and position that complements the overall aesthetic of your profile.
C. Previewing and saving the changes
Before finalizing the cover image customizations, it is a good idea to preview how it will appear on your profile. To do this, click on the “Preview” button on the top right corner of the page. This will show you a preview of your profile with the new cover image.
If you are satisfied with the changes, click on the “Done” button to save them. Your customized highlight cover will now be visible on your profile for others to see.
Remember, you can always go back and edit the cover image if you want to make further adjustments. Simply follow the steps outlined in this section to access the highlight’s settings and make the desired changes.
By customizing the highlight cover, you can add a personal touch to your Instagram profile and make it more visually appealing. Take advantage of this feature to showcase your creativity and attract more attention to your highlights.
Step 7: Changing the highlight’s name and cover image
A. Accessing the highlight’s settings
Once you have created a highlight on your Instagram profile, you may want to make changes to its name or cover image. To do this, you need to access the settings of the specific highlight you want to modify.
To begin, go to your Instagram profile by clicking on your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen. This will take you to your profile page, where you can see all your highlights.
B. Editing the name of the highlight
To change the name of a highlight, locate the highlight on your profile page and hover over it. You will see a small ellipsis (…) button appear at the bottom right corner of the highlight. Click on this button to open a menu of options.
From the menu, select “Edit Highlight”. This will take you to the settings page for the highlight. Here, you can change the current name of the highlight to a new name of your choice. Simply click on the existing name and type in the new name.
Once you have entered the new name, click on the “Done” button to save the changes. The highlight will now be updated with the new name.
C. Replacing the cover image
If you want to change the cover image for a highlight, follow the same steps as above to access the settings page for the specific highlight.
On the settings page, you will see the current cover image for the highlight. To replace it, click on the cover image. This will open a window where you can choose a new cover image.
From here, you have two options to select a new cover image. You can eTher choose an image from the existing stories within the highlight or upload a new image from your laptop. Click on the desired option and follow the prompts to select the new cover image.
Once you have chosen the new cover image, click on the “Done” button to save the changes. The highlight will now display the updated cover image.
By following these simple steps, you can easily modify the name and cover image of any highlight on your Instagram profile. Experiment with different names and cover images to make your highlights more personalized and visually appealing.
Step 9: Managing existing highlights
A. Rearranging the order of your highlights
Once you have created several highlights on Instagram using your laptop, you may want to rearrange their order to create a more visually appealing profile. Fortunately, Instagram allows you to easily reorder your highlights.
To rearrange the order of your highlights, follow these steps:
1. Navigate to your profile page by clicking on your profile picture in the top right corner.
2. Scroll down to the highlights section, located below your bio and above your feed.
3. Click on the highlight you want to move. This will bring up a pop-up window displaying the stories within that highlight.
4. Click on the three horizontal lines (also known as the hamburger icon) at the bottom of the pop-up window. This will activate the reorder mode.
5. Drag and drop the highlight to its new desired position. As you move it, you will see a preview of how it will appear on your profile.
6. Once you are satisfied with the new order, click on the “Done” button.
B. Modifying the cover image and name of existing highlights
Instagram allows you to customize the cover image and name of your existing highlights to further personalize your profile. To modify the cover image and name of an existing highlight, follow these steps:
1. Navigate to your profile page and scroll down to the highlights section.
2. Click on the highlight you want to modify. This will bring up a pop-up window displaying the stories within that highlight.
3. Click on the three horizontal dots (also known as the options icon) at the bottom of the pop-up window. This will open the settings for that highlight.
4. To change the cover image, select “Edit Cover.” You can then choose a new image from your laptop’s files or select a story from the highlight to serve as the cover.
5. To edit the name of the highlight, select “Edit Highlight.” Enter the new name in the provided field.
6. Once you have made the desired changes, click on the “Done” button.
Managing your existing highlights allows you to keep your profile fresh and update it to reflect any changes you wish to make. Whether it’s rearranging the order of highlights to create a cohesive aesthetic or modifying the cover image and name to match your evolving style, Instagram offers plenty of flexibility for users to curate their profiles to their liking.
Continue exploring the creative possibilities of Instagram highlights on your laptop and make your profile a visual representation of your personal brand or interests.
Step 9: Managing existing highlights
A. Rearranging the order of your highlights
Once you have created multiple highlights on Instagram, you may want to rearrange their order to better organize your content. To do this:
1. Go to your profile page by logging in to Instagram on your laptop as explained in Step 1.
2. Locate the highlights section on your profile page, which will display your existing highlights.
3. Click and hold on the highlight you want to move.
4. While still holding the highlight, drag it to the desired position within the highlights section.
5. Release the highlight to place it in its new position.
B. Modifying the cover image and name of existing highlights
If you want to update the cover image or change the name of an existing highlight, follow these steps:
1. Navigate to your profile’s highlights section.
2. Identify the highlight for which you want to make changes.
3. Click on the highlight to open it.
4. At the bottom of the screen, click on the three dots icon to access the highlight’s settings.
5. In the settings menu, you will find options to edit the name or cover image of the highlight.
6. Click on the respective option that you want to modify.
7. Follow the prompts to choose a new cover image from your laptop or edit the highlight’s name.
8. Once you have made the desired changes, click “Save” or “Done” to update the highlight.
By customizing the cover image and name of your existing highlights, you can ensure they reflect the content more accurately or maintain a consistent aesthetic.
In addition to rearranging the order and modifying the appearance of your highlights, it is crucial to regularly review and manage them to ensure they stay relevant and engaging for your audience.
Remember, your highlights are visible to all your followers, so keeping them organized and updated can enhance your profile’s overall appeal. Regularly assess your highlights to determine if any modifications are necessary to align with your evolving content strategy or branding.
Overall, managing your existing highlights allows you to maintain a cohesive and visually appealing Instagram profile that effectively showcases your best stories and content.
Conclusion
A. Recap of the Step-by-Step Process for Creating Highlights on Instagram via Laptop
In this article, we have provided a comprehensive step-by-step guide for creating highlights on Instagram using a laptop. We discussed the benefits of utilizing a laptop instead of a mobile device and outlined each stage of the process.
First, we explained how to log in to Instagram on your laptop by accessing the platform through your preferred web browser, entering your username and password, and navigating to your profile.
Next, we delved into identifying the highlights section on your profile page and understanding its purpose and appearance. We emphasized the significance of organizing your stories into categories to enhance the browsing experience for your audience.
The process of creating a new highlight was discussed in detail. We covered clicking on the “+ New” button, choosing a cover image that represents the highlight, and naming the highlight appropriately.
We also explained how to add stories to your highlight, including selecting the relevant stories, adjusting their order within the highlight, and saving the changes.
Customizing the highlight cover was outlined, which involves choosing an image from your laptop, adjusting its size and position, and previewing and saving the changes.
Moving forward, we discussed how to change the name and cover image of an existing highlight by accessing its settings and making the necessary edits.
We further described the process of deleting a highlight, including locating the desired highlight, accessing its settings, and permanently removing it.
Finally, we explored how to manage existing highlights by rearranging their order and modifying their cover image and name.
B. Encouragement to Explore the Creative Possibilities of Instagram Highlights on a Laptop
With the knowledge gained from this step-by-step guide, we encourage you to explore the various creative possibilities that Instagram highlights offer on your laptop. Utilize your creativity to design visually appealing covers that represent the essence of each highlight category and engage your followers. Experiment with different themes, content styles, and arrangements to personalize your profile and make it stand out.
Remember, highlights are an excellent way to showcase your best stories, express your brand, and generate interest in your content. Utilize the tools and techniques discussed in this guide to effectively manage and customize your Instagram highlights. By following these steps, you can create a visually captivating profile that captivates your audience and leaves a lasting impression.
Harness the power of Instagram highlights on your laptop to not only elevate your personal or brand image but also enhance your storytelling capabilities. Stay ahead of the curve, adapt to the changing social media landscape, and continue to engage your followers through the creative possibilities offered by Instagram highlights on your laptop.