Learn how to make your Instagram stories stand out by using an effect from the Effect Gallery and save your favorite effects for later or share them with friends.
We’ve shown you how to make your Instagram stories stand out with filters, text, stickers, and even music. But there’s one more built-in feature that can truly make those stories pop. The Effect Gallery in the Instagram app lets you add pizzazz that fits you and your story.
You can add some sparkles to your night on the town, hearts to your sweetheart, fish eye effect when snapping a photo, flowers to your pet, and much more!
Access and use the Effects Gallery on Instagram
- Open the Instagram app and swipe right on the Home tab. Alternatively, you can tap the plus button at the bottom and choose Story.
- Following either of the above steps will open the Instagram story camera. Right to the white shutter button, you will see the effects. Swipe and select one. Note that some effects only work as intended when you are taking a picture or video of a person’s face.
- If you’re happy with the effect, tap the selected effect button, and it will act as the camera shutter button. If you want to record a video with that effect, touch and hold the shutter button.
- The chosen effect will be added to the picture or video you just took. Go ahead and publish it as a story like you normally do.
Browse the entire Effects Gallery
- Follow the initial steps to start creating an Instagram story.
- Swipe all the way to the end of the effects and tap the last Browse effects button.
- Use the categories at the top to browse all effects. You can select one and see its preview at the top. You can also use the search button to find an effect by its name.
Save an effect as your favorite
You may see some cool effects or filters that you know you’ll want to reuse. You can save them so they’re easily accessible.
- Method 1: Swipe to an effect and tap the tiny save button below it.
- Method 2: Swipe to an effect and tap the effect name under it. Now, select Save effect.
- Method 3: Browse the entire Effects Gallery and tap to select an effect from here. After that, tap the save button.
Saved effects appear on the left side of the normal camera shutter button, from where you can reuse it. You can also tap the saved button when browsing all effects to see your favorites.
See other stories with that effect or share, remove, and report that effect
Tap the name under the selected effect, and it will bring up an options page with the following important options.
- Save effect: Add it to your favorite (already explained above).
- View effect page: See other public stories that are using this effect.
- Send to: Share this effect with your friends using Instagram DM.
- Report: If you think this effect is inappropriate, you can report it to Instagram.
- Share effect link: Use it to share this effect with others using Messages, WhatsApp, or other mediums.
- Show QR code: Get a QR code for this effect. Your friend can scan this QR to use this effect.
- More from effect creator: See other effects created by that person.
- Remove effect: Stop this effect from showing for your use.
What types of things do you do to make your Instagram stories pop? Share your suggestions below!
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