What are Instagram Guides and how do they work?

(Pocket-lint) – Instagram is launching a new Guides feature that gives users a way to aggregate content together in a single place. Here’s how it works.

What are Instagram Guides?

Instagram said it wanted to offer a way for its users to more “easily discover recommendations, tips, and other content” from their favourite creators, public figures, organizations, and publishers. But it also knows many people are currently struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, initially, the new feature, called Guides, had a focus on wellness topics in order to help users.

For instance, one of the first Guides promoted was from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, called Mental Health and COVID-19. Another was a Mindful Movements guide filled with exercises and stretches from Sarah Campbell, a Yogi and meditation expert.

However, as of 17 November 2020, Instagram is expanding Guides to include other types of content – including Products, Place, and Posts. For instance, it is allowing users to create travel guides and product recommendation guides and other generic guides. An Instagram Guide sort of resembles a blog post, as it can include text, photos, galleries, and videos to illustrate the topic at hand.

Where do you find Instagram Guides?

Guides are located in a separate new tab on a user’s profile (look for the booklet icon between the photo grid icon and tagged photos icon). They’ll also start to appear in the Explore tab. Visitors to Guides can share them across their own stories and in direct messages.

To view a Guide, visit the profile of one of these pages and then tap the middle icon to view their Guides:

How do Instagram Guides work?

When viewing a Guide, you can see posts and videos that the creator has curated with their own tips, commentary, or advice. The posts in Guides can come from the creator or from other Instagram users. If you want to learn more about a specific post, just tap on the image or video to view the original Instagram post. You can also share a Guide to your story by tapping the share button.

Who can create Instagram Guides?

When the feature first launched in early 2020 on a trial basis, only a select group of creators (“creators, public figures, organizations, and publishers”) were able to use it to publish content focused on mental health and well-being. As of 17 November 2020, Instagram has made the format available to all users. It’s also expanded Guides to include other types of content.

When will Instagram Guides be available?

Guides are available to all users via user profiles and the Explore tab.

Writing by Maggie Tillman.