Want to post a status on Instagram that your friends and mutual followers can see? Instagram Notes lets you post an update that will appear in the Message folder. Here's how to use the feature.

What Are Instagram Notes?

Notes are short updates that appear at the top of a user's Instagram inbox on the mobile app. Like Stories, they disappear after 24 hours. When Notes first launched, they could be up to 60 characters and could only include text and emojis.

However, now you can post a video note on Instagram, as well as add music to your Instagram Notes.

The biggest difference between Stories and Notes is that Notes have shorter videos and they don't appear in the same section of the app. They are also only shared with mutual followers or people on your Close Friends list.

How to Get Instagram Notes

If you don't have the Notes feature yet, make sure that your app is updated. The feature rolled out in 2022, so you should have it by now.

It's important to be aware though that the feature is only available on the Instagram mobile app. You can't access Instagram Notes on the Instagram website.

Update: Instagram for Android | iOS (Free)

How to Create a Note on Instagram

Now that you know what the feature does, here's how to use it. To get started with your first note, follow these steps...

  1. Open Instagram and select the paper plane icon to go to your message inbox.
  2. You will see a caption box on your profile picture at the top of your inbox with the text "Note...". Tap on the text box.
  3. On the next page, type in what you want to share in the text box.
  4. If you want to share a video note, click on the camera icon on your profile picture. If you want to add music to your note, select the music note icon.
  5. Select your audience: Followers you follow back or Close friends. Then tap Done.
  6. When you're finished, tap Share at the top of the screen. The status will now appear with your profile picture, alongside notes from other mutual followers.

The process is pretty easy. Just make sure you're sharing with the right audience. Once you post a Note, people can reply to it with DMs that will arrive in your inbox, similar to Story replies.

How to Delete or Change an Instagram Note

If you made a mistake while creating a Note, you can easily delete it. Simply tap on your profile picture in your inbox and select Delete Note.

You can also add a new note by selecting the Leave a New Note option and simply posting something else. This new note replaces the old one and will expire after 24 hours.

Now you know how to post an Instagram Note. Make sure you're only sharing it with people you trust if you're using it as a personal status update. Also, remember that your mutual followers or friends will only see it if they visit their Instagram inbox.