Hot Takes on Instagram Features!🔥
Madelyn dives into some of Instagram's most controversial features and what teens think about them.
For teenagers, Instagram serves as more than just a communication tool. It’s a place to explore interests, express our identities, and connect with communities we resonate with. Features like Posts and Reels allow users to both share their own content and watch that of others. This constant influx of content has already created a highly interconnected world, where everything from recipes to random celebrity gossip and memes spreads at lightning speed!
Recent updates to Instagram have introduced new features that have sparked a range of reactions, especially among teen users. Some features have been met with enthusiasm, while others have sparked debates, with users either embracing them wholeheartedly or calling for their removal entirely. Taking a look through the lens of us teens, I conducted a poll with 30 participants (from my own personal network and #HalfTheStory’s TAB/Content Team) to gather opinions on some of Instagram’s more unique features.
Below, I’ve included an overview of the features, a brief description based on Instagram's definitions, tips on where to find them if you’re unfamiliar, a breakdown of pros and cons, approval ratings, and my own personal take.
The Facts
90% of respondents reported liking Instagram overall.
83.3% reported Reels as the “most addicting feature.”
100% of participants do not like being left on “seen” (this is a joke, lol).
When asked what feature respondents would “completely take away,” the most common responses included Note Polls, Notes on Reels, and comments on Stories.
When asked what feature respondents would add to the app, some creative ideas included Reposts, leaving messages as unseen/unread, pausing Reels, and viewing who has visited your profile.
The Features
Notes
✨ What They Are: Short text updates (up to 60 characters) that appear at the top of your Instagram DM inbox, visible to your close friends or followers you follow back.
✅ Approval Rating: 66.7%
🦋 Maddie’s Take: Notes are a fun way to share a new piece of music with a group of friends or share something on your mind. It almost kind of resembles the Twitter/X feel of sharing a short message with an audience. I personally adore this feature because it allows me to leave behind something short and sweet. However, there is definitely a population of people who find it annoying, saying it is just content overload and people oversharing.
Seeing Who Likes What Reels/Posts
✨ What They Are: You can view the list of users who liked a specific Reel or Post by tapping the "likes" count or icon beneath it.
✅ Approval Rating: 66.7%
🦋 Maddie’s Take: This feature lets you see the liking history of the people in your network, perhaps giving you insight into their views, likes/dislikes, and interests. It’s definitely a fun and interesting feature, but it also has the potential to “dox” users by showing their liking history. While most people like this feature, some respondents expressed that it may compromise their digital footprint, noting that it has made them more mindful of what they like in general. During a recent conversation with TAB, some members said they had unfollowed people because of something they liked about Reels. Yikes!
Polls Feature on Notes
✨ What They Are: A feature that allows users to post simple, interactive polls within their Notes for followers to engage with.
✅ Approval Rating: 16.7%
🦋 Maddie’s Take: With the lowest approval rating of the seven featured features, Polls seem to give people the most agita, with many calling for its removal. While it could be a chance for people to get the viewpoints and perspectives of their social media network on a fun/quirky topic, most people cite its “annoyingness,” calling it unnecessary clutter on the already contested Notes page. It will be interesting to see whether Instagram listens to these users as they make updates.
Story Views
✨ What They Are: A list showing who has viewed your Instagram Story, accessible by swiping up while viewing your own Story.
✅ Approval Rating: 86.7%
🦋 Maddie’s Take: Most people are accustomed to the staple Story Views on their profile—despite the anxiety it reportedly gives some teens. It’s very understandable: fear of judgment, comparisons to others, the pressure to respond to a Reaction or reply, and even unwanted attention can all provoke stress. For some, even knowing exactly who is watching their Stories can feel intrusive. However, it’s still fun to see who has viewed your Story, tapping into our curiosity and connection to the experience.
Leaving Notes on Reels
✨ What They Are: Users can now leave short, public comments or "notes" directly on Reels for others to see, often visible in the comment section.
✅ Approval Rating: 30%
🦋 Maddie’s Take: The second-lowest approval rating feature is Leaving Notes on Reels, and it has definitely caught my attention over the past few months of using the app. While some users report that the feature is fun, as it provides insight into their followers’ views and thoughts on specific ideas, others find it annoying to constantly read the incessant opinions of others. They say they just want to enjoy watching a Reel without the constant “feedback” from those around them.
“Seen” Feature on DMs
✨ What They Are: Indicates that a direct message has been opened and read by the recipient.
✅ Approval Rating: 76.7%
🦋 Maddie’s Take: Despite the anxiety (and pain) that comes with being left on “seen” (a tragically universal experience for anyone using social media), over 75% of people approve of the Seen feature on Instagram DMs. This intrigued me—it’s fascinating that we’d rather know a message has been seen, even if it means no one has responded than be left in the dark. I think this ties back to human nature. Like with Story Views, we are naturally curious and social beings. We value being aware of social cues because it allows us to use our inference skills to understand the habits and mannerisms of those around us, ultimately helping us develop a deeper understanding of their identities and relationships.
“Photos/Videos of You” / Tags Showing Up on Your Account
✨ What They Are: When others tag you in photos or videos, those tagged posts appear in the "Photos of You" section on your profile unless you choose to hide them.
✅ Approval Rating: 86.7%
🦋 Maddie’s Take: While the vast majority of people asserted that they liked this specific feature, there were a few people who expressed concerns over privacy. For these people, the ability to hide/remove Tags is a helpful feature to address that. Overall, though, this seems to be a nice way to display one's larger network on their home account and learn more about others who don’t have much posted on their main accounts.
Instagram is a powerful platform that can make us laugh, break down distance barriers, and foster meaningful connections. However, some features—like Instagram Reels—can be distracting and come with their own downsides. Ultimately, the platform’s impact depends on how we choose to use it. That said, Instagram seems to be leaning into connecting people’s every thought and opinion, creating an increasingly interconnected experience. This shift has received mixed reviews, with many users, specifically teens expressing concerns that the constant stream of opinions and perspectives can be overwhelming, making the app feel more stressful and anxiety-inducing. Nonetheless, every feature has its own set of advantages and challenges, highlighting the importance of finding a balance between enjoying the app and safeguarding our well-being.
In the end, Instagram isn’t just an app or a tool, but rather a reflection of how we navigate the digital world. By using it mindfully—and in moderation—we can hopefully make it a force for creativity, connection, and laughter in our lives.