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Instagram Update: How to Leave a Note on Posts

Estimated Read Time: 13 min.
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Overview

Remember when TikTok removed the repost comments feature?  It felt like a great way to add a personal touch to shared content was just ripped away. But just when I was starting to think we’d never see anything like it again, Instagram came to the rescue with something even better – notes! Posts that have notes added on them will show up on your followers’ feed, pretty much the same use that TikTok reposts have, but guess what? Instagram has loaded this feature with more options than TikTok.

So, why does this matter? Well, imagine being able to add your thoughts, little reminders, or personal touches directly to posts you find worthy of sharing. It’s a fantastic way to enhance engagement and share more of your personality with your followers. In this article we will be diving into how to leave a note on Instagram posts, the mechanics behind it, and also comparing it with the TikTok Repost feature.

What Are Instagram Notes?

Alright, let’s break it down for you. This July, Instagram introduced a dynamic update on the already existing feature, notes. Basically, you can post short disappearing updates, announcements, or anything you find worthy of sharing. But this time around, instead of your notes appearing in the inbox section of Instagram, you can add it to different posts/reels you find on your feed! The best part? It’s super simple.

Benefits of Using Instagram Notes

First off, notes can really boost engagement game. Slap a note on a post or reel, and it makes things way more interactive. Followers see your note, and bam – it grabs their attention. They’re more likely to comment, like, and share. It’s basically giving them a little push to start a conversation right on someone else’s photo or video. More engagement means more visibility. Total win.

Oh, and speaking of engagement, if you want to up your Instagram game so you’re the one receiving all this attention, you can buy Instagram likes and comments to give your posts that extra boost.

Personal Touches

Got a quick thought? Type it out. Want to drop a fun fact about the reel? Go for it. These notes make your interactions feel more like you. They add a bit of depth and personality that your followers will dig. Think of it as adding a comment to a post, but people don’t have to go through the comment section to look for it, it will appear on the post itself!

Now, there are some things to keep in mind regarding post notes, but stick through, we’ll get into it!

Instagram post with a note saying "I don't know who needs to hear this, but you can post your dog on Instagram as much as you want."

TikTok Reposts vs. Instagram Notes

Let’s talk about the differences between TikTok reposts and Instagram notes. Both features let you interact with content in cool ways, but they work a bit differently. You know that one kid who’d copy your homework but somehow end up doing it better? Yeah, that’s kinda what’s happening here. Instagram might’ve been inspired by TikTok’s repost feature, but they’ve put their own spin on it by letting you add comments directly to posts and reels.

TikTok Reposts

  • When you repost something on TikTok, it shares the video on your followers’ For You page.
  • You’re giving a shout-out to the video, making it more visible to your followers.
  • You don’t add any personal comments directly on the video, just the repost itself is the action.
  • Unless you remove the reposts mechanically, it will be shown on your Reposts section on your profile.

Instagram Notes

  • Instagram notes let you add a comment directly to a post or reel you see on your feed.
  • You can choose the audience you want to share your thoughts with
  • Notes are visible for up to 3 days and can be up to 60 characters long. Don’t forget– following community guidelines is a must!
  • The original post’s author can see and delete your note if they’re part of the audience you chose.

How to Leave Instagram Notes to Posts

Enough about the mechanics behind it, let’s get into how to leave a note on posts you want. Although it’s a new feature, it’s actually pretty simple and very easy to get around with. 

  • Find a Post or Reel: Scroll through your Instagram feed and find a post or reel you want to add a note to.
  • Tap the Share Icon: On the chosen post or reel, tap the send icon (it looks like a paper plane).
  • Add a Note: Tap on “Add note…” to start writing your note. Remember, your note can be up to 60 characters long, so keep it short and sweet.
  • Choose Your Audience: Select whether you want to share your note with followers you follow back or your Close Friends list.
  • Share Your Note: Once you’re happy with your note, tap “Share” in the top right corner. Your note will now be visible to the selected audience on the post or reel for up to 3 days.

How to Delete the Note on Posts

Say you changed your mind because you realized the note you added was awkwardly unfunny (jk), you do have an option to delete the note. Even though Instagram automatically removes it for you 3 days after posting, sometimes you just can’t wait that long to fix your mistake.

  • Find the Note: Scroll to the post or reel where you added the note
  • Press on the Note: Tap directly on your note to bring up the option
  • Choose Your Action: If you want to delete it, simply tap “Delete note. If you want to replace it with something better, tap “Leave a new note…” and enter your new, hopefully less cringey, note.

Other Actions

Don’t forget, your notes won’t be the only ones popping up on people’s feeds – you’ll see notes from others too. If you come across a note from someone you, let’s say, don’t particularly enjoy seeing, here’s what you can do about it.

Press and hold on the note, and you’ll see three options: view profile, mute, and report. Now, if you’re feeling a bit petty, go ahead and hit that report button (just kidding, only do this if it’s really offensive or violating community guidelines). But seriously, these options give you some control over what you see on your feed. Hey- we meant it when we said we’ve got you! 

Conclusion

There we have it! We learned how to leave a note on posts! Instagram notes are a super cool feature that lets you add personal touches and boost engagement on posts you see. They make content more interactive and give your followers a reason to comment, like, and share. These notes let you drop quick thoughts, fun facts, or inside jokes, making your interactions feel more personalized and fun.

So, what are you waiting for? Give Instagram notes a shot and see how they can change up your feed. It’s an easy and powerful way to connect more with your followers. Try it out, have fun

Picture of Emma Caune
Emma Caune

I kicked off my blogging journey back in my university days as a marketing student and totally fell in love with writing. Now, I’m freelancing for several websites, including RedSocial. If you ever want to chat, give feedback, or collaborate, don’t hesitate to reach out!