Instagram Introduces New Collage Feature for Stories

Instagram is rolling out a new Collage option for Stories, offering users a fresh way to combine multiple images into a single, engaging post. The feature allows users to select photos from their camera roll and arrange them in a free-form collage, giving greater creative flexibility compared to the app’s existing Layout tool, which is more structured and format-dependent.

The new collage option builds on Instagram’s history of adding creative tools to Stories to keep users engaged. This update appears to be a response to the growing popularity of collage-focused platforms like Pinterest’s “Shuffles,” which gained attention for allowing users to create artistic collages. Following Meta’s well-known strategy of replicating features from competitors, this move aims to ensure users can enjoy similar experiences without leaving the Instagram ecosystem.

Instagram has been testing collage features in other areas as well, including group chats. While collages haven’t yet become a dominant trend, they hold niche appeal, particularly among users who enjoy experimenting with visuals. This latest addition arrives just in time for the New Year, likely encouraging users to create nostalgic collages to reflect on 2024.

Meta’s strategy of adopting trending features from competitors has proven effective in the past. Instagram Stories, inspired by Snapchat, became one of the platform’s most popular features, while Reels, modeled after TikTok, has helped Instagram retain users who might otherwise switch platforms.

For now, Instagram’s collage feature is another way to enhance Stories content, and its potential for future use, such as integrating shoppable product tags, could make it a valuable tool for brands as well. Further updates on the rollout are expected from Instagram, and there will no doubt be overhauls and expansions to the new features in the future as the platform gets an idea of what works and what doesn’t.