Instagram Introduces Public Comments on Stories, Adding a New Layer of Engagement

Instagram is set to introduce a significant update by adding the ability to leave comments on Instagram Stories. This change comes as Stories have become one of the platform’s most popular features, with many users preferring them over traditional posts. Until now, interactions with Stories were limited to direct messages (DMs), which were private and only visible to the user who posted the Story. With this update, viewers can publicly comment on Stories, creating a more interactive experience.

The new feature will allow followers to leave comments visible to anyone who can view the Story. However, commenting on Stories comes with some restrictions. For private accounts, only followers who the user follows back can leave comments. For public accounts, comments are limited to people the poster follows. Instagram aims to ensure a safer, more personal interaction space by making mutual follows a requirement for commenting.

Instagram is adding the ability to leave comments on Instagram Stories. pic.twitter.com/vwOqviy0hs

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 4, 2024

Like Stories, comments are temporary and disappear after 24 hours. If a Story is saved as a highlight, however, the comments will be preserved, allowing the conversation to continue even after the Story’s original lifespan. This gives users more flexibility in how they manage their interactions, especially when sharing memorable or significant content.

In a conversation with The Verge, Instagram spokesperson Emily Norfolk highlighted the flexibility of this new feature, explaining that users will have control over whether comments are enabled for each Story. This means that if someone doesn’t want public feedback on a particular Story, they can simply turn off the comments for that post. Norfolk also emphasized that this feature adds another dimension to how people engage on Instagram, beyond the limitations of private DMs.

Nope , don’t like it. It loses the purpose already. pic.twitter.com/knpppuH2ZZ

— 𝚃𝙲 💫 (@tinochchan) September 4, 2024

This new commenting system follows a broader trend on Instagram, where the platform is focusing on making key surfaces like Stories and Reels more interactive. Earlier this year, Instagram introduced disappearing “Notes” on grid posts and Reels—comments that expire after three days and are meant to make user engagement more visible. These notes are part of a larger push to encourage interaction among friends and followers, and the addition of public comments on Stories aligns with this strategy.

Additionally, Instagram has been rolling out various other features aimed at increasing engagement. New text fonts, effects, and animations for Reels and Stories, as well as a more advanced in-app text editor, have been introduced to enhance the creative potential of users. The platform also allows users to post carousels of up to 20 images and videos and has added the option to include a song on their profile bio, further personalizing the user experience.

I don’t want my friends to see how bad my stories get roasted 😳🤣😭

— Lock (@LockFryer) September 4, 2024

Reactions to the new comment feature have been mixed, with some users expressing excitement while others are more apprehensive. On X (formerly Twitter), users voiced their opinions on the update. One user humorously commented, “I don’t want my friends to see how bad my stories get roasted 😳🤣😭,” while another joked, “Bro I don’t need to see how down bad everyone is with a million ‘🔥’ comments on every story 💀.” Not everyone was against the change, though. “That’s a cool update! It’ll make stories even more interactive. Can’t wait to try it out!” wrote one enthusiastic user.

ewww no that’s gonna ruin the vibes of my stories now 😭

— ˚✧ stephanie 🤭 (@glittersnot) September 5, 2024

For those concerned about privacy and unwanted comments, Instagram has also introduced the ability to disable comments on a per-post basis, allowing users to maintain control over their content. This is particularly important for users who want to share content without the potential for public criticism or trolling.

Bro I don’t need to see how down bad everyone is with a million ‘🔥’ comments on every story 💀

— JJFilms (@JJFilmsX) September 4, 2024

The addition of comments on Stories marks another step in Instagram’s evolution towards making its platform more engaging and interactive. As users become more accustomed to interacting with Stories, this new feature could transform how people share and respond to content, bringing a new level of connection to the platform’s most popular features.

• Also read: Ice Spice Loses 540k Instagram Followers Amid Controversy: Internet Reacts to Decline in Popularity

Shivam Kumar

Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....