11 Tips, Tricks and Hacks You Need to Know for Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories is now more popular than Snapchat, with over 200 million people using it daily.

And just like getting your regular Instagram feed in tip-top shape, there are some fun tricks you can do to make your Instagram Stories really stand out as well.

Below, we're spilling all the Stories secrets you need to know now!

Choose a Different Font

Gone are the days of having just one font choice! Instagram just rolled out several new fonts: neon, typewriter, modern, and strong—which add life and personality.

 

Choose a Unique Color

Drawing and writing on your IG Stories is a good way to add personality, but the preset colors don't always match the vibe you're going for. Luckily, you can now choose your own custom ink color. All you have to do is hold your finger down on a color and a full color spectrum will pop up, allowing you to choose any color you like!

 

Create a Drop Shadow Effect

Want something to really stand out? Create a drop shadow effect! First, click on the Aa button and write something. Then write it again in a different color and layer them slightly off center and voila.

 

Add a GIF

Give your Story some movement! GIFS are a fun way to add life and pizazz to any story or event. Swipe up and click on GIF, and search Giphy for the perfect one.

 

Change Font Size

Once you've typed out what you want on your Story, there is a circle on the left side that you can slide up and down to make your font bigger or smaller. This is great for when handles are super long and they take up more than one line.

 

Layer Your Photos to Create a Story

Ever wonder how on people's stories, words will pop up? It's simple, all you have to do is write something on your story, then save it. Then, open up the saved photo to your IG Stories and then write on the words you want to pop up next. Keep repeating this step as many times as you want.

 

Go Hands-Free

Sick of holding the button down while you tell your story? Below the button, you can swipe to the far right and choose the hands-free button so you don't have to worry about it.

 

Rainbow Writing

This one takes some practice, but it's super cool once you get the hang of it. To get rainbow-colored writing, first write on your story (it needs to be in the classic font to work). Then hold your finger down on the words and click "select all." Then while holding one finger on the text, use your other hand to select a custom color, and then drag your finger across the custom color palette while at the same time moving your finger across the words on your screen. It takes a few tries to get the hang of, but the result is really fun!

 

Create a Solid-Colored Background

Need a blank colorful canvas for something? Easy. Take a picture of anything. Next, select you color—heck you can even make it a custom color—and then hold your finger down on the screen until the entire screen fills with your color of choice.

 

Make a Selfie Sticker

Want a mini selfie sticker? No prob. Tap the sticker icon at the top of the screen, and then select the icon with the camera. Take a selfie, and once you're happy with it insert it in your story. This is great for inserting yourself in photos or places, like below where a pet dog was added next to the Eiffel Tower.

 

Hide IG Stories From Specific Users

If you don't want someone in particular to see your IG Stories, there is a way to make it so they can't see it! Go to your profile and tap the gear icon. Then go to story settings, click "hide my story from" and select the people you don't want to see your story. Then click "done" and you're secret story is safe from them!

 

Now that you're stories are in check, you don't want to ignore your still photos. HERE's how to get your Instagram feed's aesthetic up to speed.