Video Tutorial: How to Create Instagram Highlight Covers For Free in Canva
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Instagram rolled out a new feature later in 2017 called Highlights. You know those circle icons under everyone’s bios? Those are highlights! You’ve probably seen them all over Instagram, and now to add to the visual world that Instagram is, users are using them to add to their overall brand and theme using specially made highlight covers. And I’m going to show you how you can make your own beautiful Instagram Highlight covers for free using Canva!
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What are Instagram Highlights?
Instagram Highlights are a newer archive feature that allows you to create and organize specific groups of stories and highlight them on your profile even after they expire.
So now your normal stories that expire after 24-hours can stay live long after the 24-hour mark right in your profile.
Why Use Highlights?
All the benefits of stories and more! Highlights combine all the benefits listed below of using IG stories with the advantage that they last longer than the normal 24 hours.
Better user experience. By enabling you to categorize specific stories together, you’re letting your followers choose specifically what they want to see. And gives them an opportunity to see stories they missed!
The Benefits of Instagram Stories:
- More candid content. You can share valuable content with your followers without always waiting for “the perfect” photo or video because they won’t clutter up your profile.
- More value, less clutter! Stories allow you to treat your profile like portfolio showcasing your best images and evergreen content. While still being a great resource to your followers.
- More eyes on your stuff! Stories are more likely to be seen than your actual posts because of Instagram’s algorithm.
- Drive more traffic to your site using links! Your followers only have to swipe up to follow your link rather than head to your profile and click on a link.
- Eye-catching posts! Stories allow you to have eye-catching call to actions, info, or questions using doodles, text, and stickers!
- More engagement. Your followers can send you a message or answer a question right from the stories using the text box or can answer using a poll you create!
Why create covers for your highlights?
We all know Instagram is all about visuals and these highlights give us another opportunity to add to that and create a cohesive brand and Instagram theme throughout our account.
Watch the Tutorial: How to create Instagram Highlight Covers for Free in Canva.
Leave me your Instagram handle so I can check out your new highlight covers down in the comments! And don’t forget to get your free monthly blog planner and blogging resources by signing up for our email list below!
The Comments
Trudy Louis
Thanks for My Instagram handle is rendezvous_en_newyork and I am so happy that I ran across your blog through Pinterest! I am still working on organizing my highlights but I have gotten one category started so far.Your video was so easy to understand. Thank you.
Cassie Scroggins
Trudy LouisYour highlight cover looks great! Love your Instagram and thanks for the feedback it means a lot!
Angelie
I’m going straight ahead to canva right now! Maybe you can check my Instagram handle at geliesmele after a day? Also, great vlog!! I love you! Will follow you too on insta ❤️
Cassie Scroggins
AngelieThanks Angelie! Your covers look great on Instagram!
Audrey
Hi Cassie,
Thank you so much for the tutorial! I found you on Pinterest and wanted to try this immediately. Canva is a life saver for me when it comes to create design for my blog or for social media. It is everything !!
Your explanations were very clear and easy to follow 🙂
Thanks again,
Audrey
Janee
Thank you for sharing this video.
Ashley
This was exactly what I needed! I’m still learning Instagram and barely know what I am doing lol!
My profile is @budgetsmadeeasy and would love any feedback you’d be willing to give. Now I’m headed to make these and will upload soon!
Cassie Scroggins
AshleySo glad to help! And your covers are so cute btw!
AK
I’m not seeing the “layout” and “shapes” section like yours. Do I need to buy the pro version?
Cassie Scroggins
AKNo you should be able to do it all with the free version. I believe they had an update and now the shapes are under elements.
Shanaaz Simms
Hey thanks that was really helpful my handle is @materialmistress
VIMEO DOWNLOADER
This tutorial was super helpful! I’ve always wanted to spruce up my Instagram profile, and using Canva for highlight covers is such a clever idea. The step-by-step instructions made it easy to follow. Thanks for sharing!