Instagram’s new tool lets users share posts containing only text and emoji

Since its launch in 2010, Instagram has made its name by letting users upload photos with short captions.

Now, with a new tool called Notes, users can share posts containing emoji and up to 60 character of text – and no photos at all.

Notes gives Instagram users the option to post short notes to followers who they follow back or to someone on their list of close friends.

The tool has already launched in other countries including the US and Australia, where users have compared it to MSN Messenger.

Notes is finally being launched in the UK and Europe today after the first launch phase back in December.

Instagram owner Meta, the firm run by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, describes Notes as ‘a new way to share thoughts and see what friends are up to’.

‘During our initial tests, we learned that people liked having a lightweight, easy way to share what’s on their mind and start conversations,’ it says.

‘From asking for recommendations to sharing what they’re up to, Notes give people a casual and spontaneous way to express themselves and connect with each other.’

On Instagram, Notes appear above direct messages (DMs), which can be accessed by clicking on the paper airplane icon in the top-right corner of the app.

To create a Note, tap the plus button and then enter up to 60 characters where it says ‘Share what’s on your mind’.

You then have two options for who you can send a Note to – followers who follow you back, or to Close Friends.

The new ‘notes’ feature gives Instagram users the option to post short status notes to followers [who they follow back] or to their list of close friends

On Instagram, Notes appear above direct messages (DMs), which can be accessed by clicking on the paper airplane icon in the top-right corner of the app.

Close Friends on Instagram is essentially a smaller group of people who can see your posts and an alternative to sharing your content with all followers.

People who receive your Note can reply with a message, which will appear in your DMs.

Just like Stories on Instagram, Notes are ephemeral and disappear after 24 hours of being posted.

According to Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, Notes is akin to a ‘status update’ and useful for getting recommendations from a select bunch of people.

For example, if you’re travelling to a country you can ask friends that live in that country for recommendations of what attractions to visit or places to eat.

When Notes launched in Australia in December, influencer David Subritzky said it reminded him ‘of MSN Messenger and old Facebook statuses’.

MSN Messenger was a widely popular messaging platform in the 2000s where users could place a personal message alongside their name.

When Instagram launched in 2010 it was a much simpler photo-sharing app, but since Zuckerberg’s firm bought it out in 2012, it’s made a number of tweaks and additions.

Also this month Instagram launched Quiet Mode, which mutes notifications, sends auto-replies to direct messages (DMs) and adds an ‘in quiet mode’ status underneath profile names

In doing so, it’s taken inspiration from rival social media platforms – in 2016 it added ‘Stories’ following the success of Snapchat Stories, while in 2020 it introduced Reels, short video clips similar to TikTok.

Earlier this month, Instagram launched ‘Quiet Mode’ to reduce the number of alerts people see on the app – and ultimately help them fight smartphone addiction.

Quiet Mode mutes notifications, sends auto-replies to direct messages and adds an ‘in quiet mode’ status underneath profile names

According to Meta, Quiet Mode is especially aimed at teens to ‘focus and set healthy boundaries’ on the app.