You can now comment publicly on Instagram Stories

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Posting Instagram stories has become a daily ritual for users, capturing moments throughout their day. At events like concerts, stories often resemble elaborate presentations, while some users focus on creating something aesthetically pleasing – it’s all about personal style.

With the recent update allowing up to 20 photos and videos in an Instagram carousel, the platform has taken user interaction to the next level by now enabling public comments on stories.

“Story Comments are here,” Instagram wrote in Threads. “Giving you an easy way to connect with your friends and spark conversations via comments in Instagram Stories!”

Post by @creators View on Threads

Previously, responses to Stories were sent as direct messages, limiting interactions to private conversations. However, with the new update, users can now leave comments that are visible to everyone who follows the account posting the Story.

This change opens up new avenues for engagement, allowing users to participate in conversations directly on the Story itself.

The functionality mirrors the ephemeral nature of Stories. Comments will disappear after 24 hours, just like the Stories themselves. This temporary visibility encourages spontaneous interactions and keeps the content fresh and relevant.

To ensure a positive user experience and mitigate potential misuse, Instagram has implemented several restrictions. Only users who mutually follow each other can comment on Stories, ensuring that interactions remain within a trusted network.

Additionally, these comments are visible only to users who follow both the commenter and the account that posted the Story. However, if a Story is saved as a highlight on the profile, the comment will persist beyond the typical 24-hour window.

Comments appear subtly at the bottom of the Story frame, positioned just above the function controls and viewer details. This placement allows comments to be easily accessible without overshadowing the content of the Story itself.

Instagram has also retained the option to disable comments on a per-story basis, giving users control over their content’s interaction. This flexibility reflects Instagram’s ongoing efforts to balance user engagement with safety, ensuring that the platform remains a space for meaningful and respectful interactions.