In 30 seconds:
- Wondering what Instagram’s “add yours” sticker appearing on Stories is all about? Puzzle no more. We’ve got the low-down on the new tool.
- The freshly-launched feature offers a whole new way for businesses to build threads of content. It’s a conversation starter in picture form!
- Engaging with Gen Z has never been easier – just post a prompt and watch their responses roll in.
Instagram moves fast. With roughly one billion active monthly users to entertain, it has to. And just as we got used to seeing “Collabs” on our feeds, there’s something new shaking up the Story feature: “Add Yours”.
But what is Instagram’s “Add Yours” sticker? The platform’s newest Story option encourages users to respond with photos to prompts selected by the original poster, creating public threads in Stories.
Like most of Instagram’s updates, this one has taken off since the global rollout began this month. If your brand is looking to engage with Gen Z, it’s vital you keep in-the-know on these new features; two thirds of Instagram’s user base are aged 34 and younger.
But don’t worry – for brands with one eye on the Gen Z market, we’ve got everything you need to know to get started.
What is Instagram’s “Add Yours” trend?
The new sticker is a way for accounts to interact with one another in a more collaborative fashion than the now-familiar “poll” and “quiz” options. In short, it’s an avenue for users to be more creative.
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before.
Yes, much like TikTok’s extremely popular “duets” feature, Instagram’s “add yours” sticker creates a way for communities to start chains of reactive content around a theme. Post your #OOTD (Outfit Of The Day), and with the new sticker you can invite your followers and friends to submit theirs, too.
How to get the “Add Yours” sticker
After launching in Japan and Indonesia last month, the feature is now rolling out to all users. The brand announced the global launch via Twitter:
You can find the new feature under the sticker tool when you upload content to your Story. Selecting “Add Yours” begins a public thread with whatever topic you choose.
Of course, you can also respond to others’ prompts by clicking the sticker in their story and adding your own to the chain.
Why don’t I have “Add Yours” on Instagram?
Never fear! The update is rolling out globally, so you’ll have access to it soon. The Facebook-owned platform has suggested users eager to get started with new updates make sure their app is running the latest version in the meantime.
How can brands and creators use the “Add Yours” Instagram Stories sticker?
We all know that in the world of social media, engagement is king. That’s why it’s so exciting when platforms release new ways to keep in contact with your follower base.
The “Add Yours” sticker is great for engagement, as it offers users a more interesting way to interact with one another, but it’s great for brand exposure too. Each thread links back to the originator’s account – meaning your brand’s name is highlighted at the beginning of each public chain.
In short, there’s opportunity for a higher engagement rate, more follower interaction and more potential eyes on your brand. Sound good? We certainly think so.
How to use “Add Yours” on Instagram
Stories are one of Instagram’s most popular features. In 2019, the platform reported 500 million daily active Stories users. That’s a lot of people who’re ready and waiting to respond to your prompt!
Luckily, the process is straightforward:
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The initial set-up for the Stories posts remains the same. Choose a video if you like, or throw a filter over your content.
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Once you’re happy with how your Story post will look, here is where you’ll find the stickers options: Questions, Location, Poll… and the new “Add Yours”.
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You can get involved in the trend
Now you’re up-to-date on Insta’s newest feature, here’s how to get the best results for your brand:
1. Start early
The simplest advice is often the best – just get involved! The initial boom of a trend is the best time to get stuck-in, while users are still revelling in the chance to try something new. Since research shows that 84% of teens are using Instagram every single day, doesn’t every day not starting feel like a chance wasted…?
If you’re still waiting for the update to roll-out to you, start by responding to a few prompts yourself. A little practice never hurt anybody!
2. Keep it simple
Our CEO put it best when he said the key to engaging with Gen Z online is to leverage existing behaviours. If you’re asking people to do something completely outside the ordinary, chances are you’re limiting your pool of potential respondents.
By keeping your story prompt organic and achievable, you’ll open up a whole world of possibilities for users to respond with.
3. Don’t be afraid to be creative with your “Add Yours” prompts
There’s nothing wrong with the classics. A call for #OOTDs is popular for a reason, and on an app first ridiculed as a place where people “just share photos of their breakfasts”, asking to see what’s on people’s plates is always going to get results.
That said, don’t be afraid to go niche. There are whole communities on Instagram waiting for the chance to share what inspires them. Take the literature-obsessed Bookstagram for example. Asking what people are reading is a start, but asking for the book they consider a guilty pleasure might just get more people intrigued enough to respond.
And, as the chain grows, so does your audience.
4. Take inspiration from others’ successes
The best part about trends like this is their collaborative nature. Keep an eye on the topics that garner the most responses and feel no shame in repurposing them!
Just like TikTok’s duets feature, there’s an opportunity within the “Add Yours” sticker chains to create a self-perpetuating cycle of content – all with your brand’s logo at the start.
Exciting, isn’t it?
How to get the “Add Yours” sticker working for your brand
As the old adage says, practice makes perfect.
Now you have all the knowledge you need to get started using the new “Add Yours” feature on Instagram Stories, it’s time to get posting.
Engaging with new features like Instagram’s “Add Yours” sticker keeps your brand’s online presence feeling fresh. With such a huge potential market in Gen Z, opportunities to develop new engagement strategies are chances to tap into whole new online communities.
If there’s one takeaway from all this, it’s that it’s worth the effort.
Here at Fanbytes we have the know-how to keep your brand’s social marketing aimed squarely at Gen Z’s hearts. Get in touch to learn more about how we can help you grow.
Want to learn more about engaging with Gen Z? Check out these links for more insights:
