Instagram has evolved from a simple photo- and video-sharing platform, and this time, it is showing how far it can continue to evolve.
The popular platform has made it easier for users to chat while browsing its feed. Most notably, Instagram has added a multitasking feature, which allows users to quickly respond to messages, without having to switch back and forth between the feed and the inbox.
With the change, new chats should appear at the top of the feed while browsing, and tapping on it allows users to respond to those messages.
The multitasking feature here adds a way to do things faster.
In a blog post, Instagram said that it should make it "that much easier and more convenient to chat while on the app."
"This announcement is part of our ongoing work to improve how you connect and share with your closest friends," said Instagram.
In more details, the multitasking feature adds:
- Reply while browsing: The app allows users to reply to new messages while browsing the feed, without having to go to the inbox.
- Quick sending: Users can tap and hold the share button to quickly reshare posts to their closest four friends.
- See who’s online: At the top of the inbox, users can see who's free to chat at that moment.
- Play, pause, and re-play: Instagram enables integrations with Apple Music, Amazon Music, and later Spotify. Users can share a 30-second preview of song they heard on those platforms.
- Send messages quietly: Users can send messages without notifying friends by adding @silent to the message..
- Lo-fi chat theme: Instagram adds a lo-fi chat theme to make conversation feel more personal.
- Create polls: Users can use the Poll sticker to create a poll directly in group chats.
These messaging features follow Instagram's promise back in 2021, which said that it would upgrade its Direct Messaging (DM) feature in 2022.
Ever since Facebook-then Meta began merging Instagram and Messenger messaging features, Instagram’s in-app chat has been steadily getting more features. And more or less, has become a lot more like Messenger.
Instagram said that the features have been made available initially to select countries, with plans to expand globally.