{"id":442265,"date":"2026-01-28T05:44:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T05:44:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/442265\/"},"modified":"2026-01-28T05:44:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T05:44:09","slug":"instagrams-instants-feature-branded-awful-as-users-accuse-app-of-trying-too-hard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/442265\/","title":{"rendered":"Instagram’s Instants feature branded ‘awful’ as users accuse app of ‘trying too hard’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Instagram<\/a> has rebranded a little-known feature, and many users wish it hadn’t bothered. For some, they might not even notice the change, as the feature is semi-hidden away in the Messages section of the app.<\/p>\n

The social media platform launched Shots last year<\/a>, but it’s now called Instants, and at first glance, it seems like a mix between a Story and a direct message (DM). But those who have used Instants so far aren’t sold on it just yet.<\/p>\n

“Instagram’s new Instants feature is awful,” wrote one person on X.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/p>\n

“Instagram needs to stop trying to be everything at once,” said another user.<\/p>\n

“First it was Notes in DMs, then came the music features in Stories, and now there’s Instants or whatever they’re calling it. If I wanted all these extra features, I’d still be on Facebook. It’s trying too hard. Stop it.”<\/p>\n

“This new Instagram Instants update is evil. I just accidentally uploaded a photo of my laptop… and I couldn\u2019t figure out how to delete it for five minutes,” added a third.<\/p>\n

Not everyone was hating on the feature, with one person saying they loved using it, but just couldn’t keep up with the name changes.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story? Email stew.perrie@yahooinc.com<\/p>\n

How does Instagram’s Instants feature work?<\/p>\n

If you look in the Messages or DM section of the app, you’ll notice a tiny grey icon on the right-hand side of the screen towards the bottom with a star in it.<\/p>\n

If you tap that, it will load the phone’s camera and you can take a picture of whatever you want.<\/p>\n

You can choose to send the image to your Close Friends or followers who follow you back.<\/p>\n

The people who receive the photo can only view it once, and then it’s gone forever.<\/p>\n

\"Left:<\/p>\n

The new feature has divided users who have tried it out. Picture: Meta\/Getty<\/p>\n

They also can’t be viewed after 24 hours, so you’ll have to make sure your notifications are turned on.<\/p>\n

Recipients can’t see who else you have sent the photo to.<\/p>\n

But Instagram has warned people about what they use this feature for.<\/p>\n

“Be kind and respectful. We review Instants against our community standards,” the app said in a message to users.<\/p>\n

SHOP:<\/p>\n

So be very careful if you’re planning on shooting off spicy pictures to your followers, as they can report you if it goes against Meta’s policies.<\/p>\n

There’s an icon on the bottom left that will take you to your archive of all the Instants you’ve shared.<\/p>\n

You can view, download or delete your sent Instants from here.<\/p>\n

If you’re sick of being on the receiving end of Instants, you can mute accounts whenever you want.<\/p>\n

“Bear in mind that this won’t apply to other formats such as messages or stories,” Instagram added.<\/p>\n

Want the latest lifestyle and entertainment news? Make sure to follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram, <\/a>and TikTok<\/a>. <\/p>\n