Instagram evolves constantly in an effort to meet the wants and needs of its user base.
These changes and innovations are applied constantly, so tracking them is imperative for creators, brands, and marketers. Missing even one can cost reach, engagement, and revenue.
To help you with that, I’m tracking new Instagram features all the time and will be adding them to this blog post throughout 2026. I’ll also include updates to Instagram Edits as they are related.
Furthermore, all Instagram new features will be logged chronologically, so you can scan fast and then dive deep if you want to check out illustrations and learn more.
On Instagram, early adopters usually win, so keep reading below.
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How to get the latest Instagram features in 2026?
Wondering how to have the latest Instagram features before everyone else?
Here are a few best practices you can adopt:
- Keep the app fully updated—feature rollouts often depend on the latest app version;
- Opt into beta features when available—early access usually goes to beta testers first;
- Use Instagram professionally—business and creator accounts receive new tools earlier;
- Follow official Meta and Instagram channels—product updates are often hinted at before release;
- Monitor feature rollouts across regions—some Instagram new features appear country by country;
- Track updates externally with tools like EmbedSocial—our platform includes social listening features that can help you spot new formats, content types, and engagement shifts faster.
As you can see, staying updated is a system, not luck.
Check out our previous editions:
Instagram New Features Every Marketer Should Know: 2025 Edition
New Instagram features: January 2026
Instagram is refining its DM filters
As noticed recently by social media researchers, Instagram has added a new filter to its DMs—10K followers:
This way, brands and companies receiving messages can quickly find potential collaboration opportunities with prominent influencers in their niche.
Instagram is testing a new tab on Instagram profiles
In an effort to streamline the UX of Instagram, devs are continuously optimizing the look and functionality. The latest addition is a new tab with a playlist-like icon, which may indicate a new playlist tab:
Instagram has launched its algorithm controls to all English speakers
Per Instagram’s official announcement, delivered by Adam Mosseri, every English-speaking Instagram user has just gotten access to the ‘Your Algo’ controls, which let you customize your IG algorithm.
To access it, just head on over to the ‘Reels’ tab and tap the controls button in the top-right corner, and then you can select and deselect topics in which you are interested:
New Edits updates for January 2026
Meta keeps improving Edits with a slew of new updates this January 2026, including account links, weekly ideas, new video effects, takes on storyboards, and a detailed insights tab:
Firstly, links will make your videos interactive as they will open your account in an overlay once you export your video through Edits.
Then, you can also find inspiration in 10 fresh video ideas every week, which you can save, edit, or skip, and you will be able to add multiple takes to your storyboard.
Finally, you will get access to advanced insights, such as Reel views, likes, comments, reposts, shares, and saves. Plus, you can see a summary of all the comments you received:
Change your voice on Instagram with AI filters
In addition to essential upgrades, Meta is always adding some whimsical features, with the latest one being AI voice filters.
The way it works is you get to choose a voice filter (and describe it) when sending AI messages.
AI transitions for Instagram Stories are in the works
When posting a multi-photo story on Instagram, users can either choose a layout or a separate carousel format.
That said, there’s a new feature in the works: AI Transition, which will probably do what it says, i.e., make smooth transitions between the photos you add in your Stories:
Mosseri says videos with watermarks may have impacted reach
Mosseri just came out with important information regarding the usage of third-party video editing apps: creating and editing videos outside of Instagram and Edits does not necessarily affect their reach.
That said, if these videos retain their watermarks, they might see diminished reach.
New paid features coming to Instagram
There’s a new Instagram subscription tier in the works that will come with new perks, such as creating unlimited audience lists, checking out who among your followers doesn’t follow you back, and sneaking a peek at IG Stories without revealing yourself.
Edits now has an AI-enhanced tag effect
Meta AI is making its way into Edits with a new Tag effect that automatically identifies the persons in your video clips, and tags them correspondingly:
This will certainly save manual labor when it comes to talking head videos in a group, since you can just let Meta AI handle all of it.
FAQs – New Instagram Features 2026
How often does Instagram release new features?
Instagram releases updates continuously, with major changes appearing monthly and smaller tweaks rolling out weekly or silently via server-side updates.
Do Instagram Edits change how content performs?
Yes. New Instagram Edits features often affect visibility, engagement, and content ranking—especially for Reels and creator-led content.
How can brands track Instagram new features more efficiently?
Many brands use tools like EmbedSocial’s social listening features to monitor Instagram updates, analyze performance shifts, and adapt content strategies as new features roll out.
How to update your Instagram account for new features?
To access Instagram new features, keep the app updated, switch to a professional account, and regularly check Instagram settings for newly unlocked tools. New features often roll out gradually, so monitoring updates and tracking changes helps you spot and use them faster.
