The new like for Stories button is being rolled out to all users from today. So while, technically, it may seem like a fairly minor update, it could have a big impact, and it’ll be interesting to see how Instagram looks to use the insights it gleans from such, and whether that then helps it boost user engagement. Instagram already has this on Reels, and now, Stories viewers will also be able to interact more easily, which could prove to be a valuable, habitual shift. It also moves Stories more into line with TikTok-style short video clips, which rely on user engagement signals for both ranking and engagement. It always feels better to see how people are responding, and reducing the pressure around DM responses for stories seems like a positive step. Which could be a good way to learn more about broader user response, while also providing a simple feedback mechanism for creators.

But you would assume that with another means of direct insight, Instagram will look at how it could utilize such to improve each users’ experience, by showing them more of what they literally like. To be clear, Instagram hasn’t indicated that this is or will be a ranking factor at this stage. It could be a handy way to increase Stories engagement, while it might also add another signal for Instagram to use in ranking the Stories in your feed, and highlight those most likely to be of interest. This adds a simple, low-touch way to indicate your interest, without having to send a new message alert every time you want to signal such. Which is good, because it’s pretty annoying to have to send somebody a DM to let them know that you liked their Story.

Instagram highlights icons viewer