Instagram Highlights: 7 Steps to Create & Design Covers

Instagram Highlights let you keep selected Stories visible on your profile after the usual Story display period. They can help visitors find useful information, but they do not guarantee more followers or sales. The most useful approach is to organise real, current Stories around the questions visitors commonly have.

Plan your Highlights before designing covers

Start with the information a new visitor needs. A personal creator might use About, Best Posts, Tutorials and FAQs. A clinic or local business might use Services, Team, Location, Booking, FAQs and Patient Feedback (only with appropriate consent and privacy safeguards). You do not need every category; create only those you can keep accurate.

1. About or Start Here

Introduce who you are, what you publish or offer, and who the account is for. Keep the introduction brief and specific.

2. Services or Products

Show what is genuinely available, how it works and how someone can enquire. Keep prices, availability and terms current.

3. FAQs

Answer recurring questions such as booking steps, delivery, timings or support. Avoid sharing personal customer information.

4. Reviews or Feedback

Use genuine feedback only when you have permission to publish it. Remove names, phone numbers, profile photos and other identifying details unless the person has explicitly consented to their display.

5. Work or Portfolio

Show examples that you have permission to share. Explain the context and avoid implying that one result is typical for every customer.

6. Behind the Scenes

Show your process, workspace or preparation where appropriate. Check that private documents, screens, addresses and other people’s faces are not unintentionally visible.

Design readable Instagram Highlight covers

1. Choose one simple visual style and a small colour palette that fits your profile.
2. Use one clear icon or symbol per cover. Avoid detailed illustrations that disappear at small size.
3. If you add text, use one short label and check that it remains legible at thumbnail size.
4. Keep the important artwork centred because Instagram displays Highlight covers inside a circular crop.
5. Export the design as an image format accepted by Instagram and preview it before publishing.

Canva workflow: Open Canva, search for “Instagram Story” or “Instagram Highlight Cover”, choose a simple template, replace the sample text and icon, centre the design, then download it as PNG. Template names and menu positions can change, so use Canva’s current editor controls.

Create a Highlight from archived Stories

1. Open Instagram and go to your profile.
2. Tap the New or + control in the Highlights area, if shown.
3. Select the Stories you want to group. Stories generally need to be available in your Story Archive; archive settings and eligibility can affect what appears.
4. Tap Next, add a short name and choose a cover.
5. Save the Highlight, then open it from your profile to check the order and appearance.

To edit an existing Highlight, open it from your profile and use its menu or More option to find Edit Highlight. From there, you may be able to add or remove Stories, change the name or edit the cover. Exact labels and placement vary by app version. If your screen differs, consult the Instagram Help Center.

Keep Highlights accurate and respectful

• Remove expired offers, old opening hours and outdated contact details.
• Check booking links, prices and service descriptions regularly.
• Get permission before publishing customer reviews, messages, photographs or identifiable information.
• Do not present edited testimonials or exceptional outcomes as typical results.
• Remove duplicate or empty collections that do not help visitors.

Frequently asked questions

Do Instagram Highlights stay on my profile?

Highlights remain visible on your profile until you remove or edit them, subject to Instagram’s current product rules and account status.

Can I add old Stories to a Highlight?

You can generally add eligible Stories from your Story Archive. If a Story was not archived or is no longer available, it may not appear as an option.

Can I change a Highlight cover without posting a new Story?

Instagram has offered cover editing for existing Highlights. Open the Highlight’s edit controls and check whether selecting a cover from your device or an existing Story is available in your version.

What size should a Highlight cover be?

Designing on a square canvas gives you room to centre the artwork for the circular crop. Keep important elements away from the edges and preview the result on your profile.

How many Highlights should a business create?

There is no universal ideal number. Use only the categories that answer real visitor questions and that you can maintain.

Can Highlights increase followers or sales?

They can make key information easier to find, but there is no guaranteed conversion effect. Review profile activity and enquiries to understand whether your collections are useful.

Conclusion

Useful Instagram Highlights are organised, accurate and easy to scan. Start with a few categories that match your audience’s needs, use simple covers and review the content regularly. For more profile improvements, read our Instagram SEO guide and organic growth guide.