How to Use the Notes Feature on Instagram - Make Tech Easier (2024)

Instagram is known for constantly adding new features to its basket. The latest addition is called Notes. If you’re curious to know what Notes on Instagram are and how they work, you are at the right place. Let’s check how to create, delete, and turn off Notes on Instagram.

Want to get creative on the app? Learn how to make a collage on Instagram.

What Are Instagram Notes?

Instagram Notes are just like Stories but text-based. They last only for 24 hours after which they vanish automatically. You can consider them little post-it notes or sticky notes that people can see when they open the Direct Messages section. If you want to add a new note within 24 hours of publishing a Note, your existing Note will be deleted first, and only after that will you be able to add another. Basically, you can have only one Note published at a time in 24 hours.

Here are some important takeaways about Instagram Notes:

• You cannot add photos or videos to Instagram Notes.
• They have a 60-character limit.
• Published Notes do not send a notification or appear in your feed. These are only visible in the messages section.
• People can reply to your Notes and the reply will show up in a message.
• They are somewhat private and can only be seen either by your close friends list or followers that you follow back based on the privacy setting selected.
• You can create any number of Notes in 24 hours, but only one Note will remain active at any given time.

Tip: Get up to speed with the meaning of various icons in Instagram messages.

How to Create an Instagram Note

To publish a Note on your Instagram profile, open the Instagram app on your phone. Tap on the Direct Messages icon in the top-right corner. You will find the Notes section between the search bar and your messages.

Tap on the Note button and create your note. Select who you want to share your notes with (your followers that you follow back and your close friends list) using the dropdown below.

Up next, tap on Share at the top. You will now be taken back to the messages screen where you will see your note. To add a new note, click on your current note and choose Leave a new note. You can now add a new note.

How to Delete an Instagram Note

If you don’t want to keep the note published on your profile, open the Instagram messages screen, and tap on your note. Then, tap on Delete note at the bottom. Your note will be deleted.

How to Reply to Someone’s Instagram Note

Tap on the Note that you want to reply to. A pop-up box will appear from the bottom and you can type your message in it. When you’re done, hit the Send button.

Your reply will be sent as a regular message and will show up in the chats of both users. Others will not see your reply.

How to Mute a User’s Instagram Notes

Unfortunately, if you don’t like the Instagram Notes feature, there isn’t much that you can do about it as you cannot turn it off completely.

However, if Notes from any specific profile are bothering you, then you have a choice to mute their notes. This is different from the method of muting accounts on Instagram. For this, go to the Instagram Direct Messages screen. Touch and hold the person’s profile picture in the notes section. Select Mute notes from the menu. The other person will not be notified when you mute them.

If you want to unmute the user’s notes in the future, open that specific user’s profile on Instagram. Tap on the Following -> Mute option. Turn off the toggle next to Notes.

Tip: If someone keeps bothering you on the app, you can go ahead and block them on Instagram.

Frequently Asked Questions

Image credits: Pexels. All screenshots by Zainab Falak.