Instagram Notes: What They Are and How to Use Them

Get to know another communication tool on Instagram and how it works.

Instagram Notes, one of the latest additions to the available forms of communication on the social media powerhouse, is proof that brands should closely monitor the features available on the platforms they use in their marketing strategies. Now available for posts and Reels, Notes allows users to share short messages with a 24-hour lifespan. 

Businesses can use Instagram Notes to increase brand awareness, announce news, and drive meaningful interactions. In this blog post, we’ll explore these Notes, how to create them, why they’re important for brand marketing, and tips for maximizing their potential for brand success.

Table of content

What Instagram Notes are

Unlike regular posts, Instagram Notes appear at the top of the Direct Messages screen. This makes them the perfect tool to share quick thoughts, ask questions, or start conversations.

How to add a note on Instagram post

1. Launch the Instagram app and tap the Messenger icon in the upper-right corner of the screen.
2. Navigate to the Notes section, which is located between the search bar and your message inbox.
3. To create a new note, simply tap your profile picture in the notes tray. This will open a text box where you can type your message.
4. Keep the note short, as it's limited to 60 characters. You can also use @ to mention a friend or add a song or short video clip.
5. Control who can see your note by selecting the desired audience from the drop-down menu. By selecting the desired audience from the drop-down menu, you can set an Instagram note to be visible to followers who follow you back or only to your Close Friends list.
6. Tap the Share button in the top right corner. The note will appear at the top of your message inbox for your selected audience to see immediately.

If you decide to update or remove the note, tap your profile picture again in the notes tray: options will appear to leave a new note or delete the existing one.

Why can't I add notes on Instagram?

Since Instagram Notes are a recent addition to the social media app, make sure you're using the latest version. If your Instagram Notes have disappeared, check to see if you've accidentally muted notes from specific users or all users in your DM settings.

Who can see my Instagram notes?

Instagram Notes are automatically visible on the app's conversation screen, so there's no view counter for them like there is for Stories, for example. However, it is possible to see who has liked a note by tapping on it, which brings up a list of those users. When someone replies to a note, it starts a Direct Message conversation between the original note creator and the person who replied.

How to mute or unmute notes on Instagram

To mute Instagram Notes and stop viewing them, follow these steps:

1. Open the Instagram Direct Messages section.
2. In the Notes section, find a note from the user you want to mute.
3. Tap and hold their profile picture in the Notes tray.
4. Select "Mute Notes" or "Unmute Notes" from the menu.

This will prevent you from seeing notes from the selected user. The process to unmute a specific person's notes is the same, except that when you tap and hold a profile picture, there is an option to "Unmute Notes”.

Instagram Notes on Reels and posts

With the goal of expanding the number of ways people can engage with Posts and Reels on Instagram, the platform recently added the ability to leave Notes on these forms of content as well. Responding to posts and Reels in real-time with Notes makes it easier for users to keep up with the content their friends are enjoying, and see their reactions to posts as they scroll.

Notes on Instagram are only visible to a user's connections, the people they follow, and their followers. When you leave a note on a post or Reel, it automatically appears and can be seen by your connections without having to click into the comments. Importantly, the creator of the content won't see your note unless they also follow you. They have the option to turn off Notes on their posts or delete all Notes from their audience. In essence, Notes serve as a middle ground between public comments and private direct messages, offering a level of visibility that is less public than comments but not as private as DMs.

How to add a Note to a post or Reel

1. Select the post or Reel on which you want to leave a note.
2. Tap the share icon, which is represented by a paper airplane.
3. In the sharing area, tap "Add Note”.
4. Create your note. Be aware of the 60 symbol limit.
5. Select the audience that can see the note. Select either "Followers you follow back" or "Close friends”.
6. Tap "Share”. Your connections will now see your note when they view the post or reel.

How to disable Instagram Notes on post or Reel

To disable notes on posts or reels, follow these steps.

1. Open Instagram and navigate to the post or Reel you don't want people to leave notes on.
2. Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner of your post or roll.
3. Select Turn off notes from the menu.

How can business use Instagram Notes

Unlike reels, posts, or stories, Instagram notes have far fewer measurable metrics (basically just likes and replies) and have less visibility potential. However, this content format can still work to a brand's advantage, allowing them to channel news and updates in a low-key way.

Announcements

Instagram Notes are the perfect solution for sharing bite-sized updates that your audience needs to see. Unlike posts and stories, which can get lost in the feed or disappear after 24 hours, Notes stay pinned to the top of the Direct Messages tab for maximum visibility. 

For example, let your followers know about a change in business hours with a short note like, "New hours: 9 AM - 8 PM, starting next week," or build anticipation for a product launch by saying, "Eco-friendly line drops this Friday! Stay tuned."

Quick promotions

Instagram Notes are ideal for driving immediate action with flash sales, limited-time offers, or exclusive deals. Because they appear in the DMs tab, notes have a higher chance of being seen by users who frequently check their messages.

Let your audience know about a sudden discount with a note like, "20% off all items. Code: FLASH20. 24 hours only." Or highlight a time-sensitive offer: "30% off summer collection until midnight. Last chance!"

Stand out

With less competition and fewer metrics than other formats, Instagram Notes offer a unique opportunity to engage with your audience on a personal level. By sharing thoughts, asking questions, or providing value, you can foster a stronger connection with your followers.

Encourage interaction by asking a thought-provoking question like, "What is one thing you wish you knew before you started your business?" Or share a short story to humanize your brand: "5 years today! Thank you for your support."

Summing things up

Instagram Notes offer yet another way for brands to connect with their audience in a personal and immediate way. Whether it's sharing quick updates, promoting limited-time offers, or starting meaningful conversations, Instagram Notes can serve as a great additional tool in Instagram's already rich marketing arsenal.

To take your customer communications to the next level, consider using the Instagram CRM offered by Umnico's omnichannel messaging platform. Official integration eliminates the risk of account suspension, while extensive automation features and GPT-4 chatbots provide everything you need to increase productivity and stay in touch with followers 24/7. Maximize your Instagram impact by integrating with Umnico today.