Instagram has finally decided to roll out in-app shortcuts to the wider user base. As reported by Droid App, Instagram has done so very quietly alongside other new features without any announcement.
This is not the only innovation from Instagram in recent weeks. The company has expanded its monetization options for popular users. They have done this by expanding the badges system as well as introducing adverts to IGTV videos.
Another feature that not everyone is totally happy with is the introduction of Instagram reels. Many feel that much of this new innovation is a direct copy from TikTok in an attempt to muscle in on a successful model.
Android Police has pointed out that in-app shortcuts have been around since 2016 on Android. However, the large social media app has not introduced in full until now. Although there were signs back in 2019 that the app was ready to make the change. It just seems that the full rollout has taken them almost a year.
Instagram fully rolls out in-app shortcuts
Most of use will now be able to tap and hold the Instagram icon on their home screen to quickly access a number of features. These include the camera, create a new post, view their activity, and open direct messages.
In itself, this is not a major development. However, it will be a useful one which many users will be pleased with as it makes using the app that little bit easier.
It is curious that Instagram has taken so long to implement this change fully. We can only assume there was some sort of a delay in the process along the line. It is very possible that you have access to in-app shortcuts for months given how long Instagram has been testing for.
If you really want to, you can also put the shortcuts onto your home screen. Do this by simply tapping and holding desired menu entry and then drag it where you want it. This will work for any apps’ shortcuts as well.
Instagram also makes small tweaks to story archives.
Alongside the full introduction of in-app shortcuts, Instagram has also made some changes to story archives. This largely boils down to splitting them into three sections in what the company will hope will make for an easy navigation process.
The three sections simply list your archived stories in three different ways. These are in reverse-chronological order, a calendar view, and a map view. In theory, this should make it easier to find old stories and link them to the time and place they occurred.
Overall, there is nothing totally ground-breaking here. However, it is nice to see in-app shortcuts finally form a full part of the Instagram app. The new story archives also should make things that little bit easier when looking for old stories.
