31 Instagram Story Ideas To Boost Views and Engagement in 2025

Instagram marketing used to feature picture-perfect, highly stylized content. But these days, social media users steer clear of anything that looks like an ad. Instead of glossy filters, they’re attracted to authenticity and relatability.

Instagram Stories offers a unique opportunity to capture their interests. Because of its ephemeral nature, brands can take bigger risks sharing Stories that are less refined than what they post on their grids, a proven strategy for appearing more authentic.

Here, you’ll find Instagram Story ideas and tips to help you reach your target audience and increase sales.

31 creative Instagram Story ideas for 2025

Effective Instagram Stories will help your brand promote products and content, encourage engagement, and strengthen relationships with your followers. 

Product promotion Story ideas

1. Showcase your products

Unlike Instagram posts, Stories allow links, so you can drive traffic to product pages. Highlight seasonal and upcoming items to drum up enthusiasm or showcase a collection. For lasting impact, consider making Highlights so viewers can browse your offerings. 

Here’s an example from Dynasty Plant Shop:

💡 Tip: While Instagram Stories is an excellent sales channel, avoid coming off as salesy. Instead, focus on building relationships and trust with your followers.

2. Share discounts and sales

Use Instagram Stories to advertise upcoming promotions, sales, or discounts. Use hashtags to reach a wider audience or offer exclusive deals to your loyal Instagram following.

Here’s how Next and Ryobi used this tactic:

3. Make your Stories shoppable

Shopping on Instagram has been a game-changer. According to the platform, nearly half of its active users say they shop on Instagram weekly. Once you set up your Instagram store, simply add a product sticker to your Story, and interested viewers can purchase without leaving the platform. 

Check out these shoppable Stories from Allbirds and King Ice:

Start selling your products on Instagram

4. Promote your loyalty program

Your followers already demonstrate brand loyalty just by following you. Use Stories to strengthen those bonds and promote your loyalty program. 

Check out this Story Highlight by Pepper explaining its perks program:

5. Announce restocks to your followers first

When bestselling products come back in stock, reward your loyal followers by telling them first. This tactic encourages customers to engage with your page if they want to be the first to know about restocks. 

This example from Swedish Stockings announces a restock of one of its top-selling tights:

6. Tease product launches

Launching a new product or collection? Tell your followers first. Use Instagram Stories to create buzz around launches. Share exclusive early access to a gated page or promote upcoming launches with Instagram’s countdown sticker.

For example, Paperwrld uses countdowns and mysterious graphics to tease its product launches:

7. Create Instagram Story Ads

To increase your reach and build your following, boost Stories paid promotion. Story Ads appear seamlessly between organic Stories, helping you capture new viewers. Bonus: You can run Story ads as long as you want. 

Here’s how Numi and Brooklinen use Instagram Story Ads to promote their products:

8. Promote your Instagram posts

Just as you can promote Instagram Reels in your Stories, you can also promote new posts to reach users who are tapping through Stories and encourage them to follow or engage with your account. This can be an especially helpful tactic when you’re announcing sales or big news.

Here are two examples from Xiao Chie Jie and Blossom and Rhyme:

Engagement and interaction Story ideas

9. Answer questions with an AMA

Instagram Stories’ built-in creator tools and features help craft engaging moments. Use the sticker feature to source questions from your audience and encourage engagement, especially before product launches, founder introductions, or when building FAQ content.

Here’s how The Nue Co and Hexclad used this approach to engage customers and educate them about their offerings: 

When to use this

10. Run a poll

Using the poll sticker in Instagram Story tools, you can survey followers for their opinions on anything from fun, topical subjects to product ideas you’re considering. This tactic can help you crowdsource product development ideas and solicit customer feedback.

Here’s how Verstolo and The Pulp Girls used this technique to engage their followers: 

11. Quiz your audience

The quiz sticker is another Instagram Stories feature that can help boost engagement. Test your audience’s industry knowledge with multiple-choice quizzes. Quizzes present a fun way to lead followers through engaging FAQs and teach them about your products or business; the tactic is especially useful in industries rife with misinformation, including wellness, skin care, and performance beverages.

Here’s how Paula’s Choice uses quizzes to bust myths about sunscreen:

Value-added content Story ideas

12. Provide value with bonus content

It is essential to break up promotional content with photos and videos that provide value. Examples include educational videos, shareable graphics, recipes, checklists, how-tos, and Instagram Story templates.

Here’s how REI and Vegan Bowls share helpful content with their followers:

13. Share educational tips

Stories are ideal for sharing short, visually appealing tips, life hacks, and educational tidbits. Use educational Stories to distribute industry facts or explain your brand values.

Here’s how two skin care brands—Bushbalm and Paula’s Choice—use Instagram Stories to educate customers: 

14. Provide how-tos and tutorials

Sharing educational content to Instagram Stories is a good idea if your products come with a learning curve. Illustrated graphics with step-by-step instructions or video demonstrations can help customers. Consider asking Instagram influencers to demo your products to increase your reach. 

Here’s how Behr features its products in Instagram Stories:

Behind-the-scenes Story ideas

15. Take users behind the scenes

Instagram Stories give you the chance to be candid. Behind-the-scenes content like factory tours, studio sneak peeks, and “how it’s made” videos humanize your brand and build trust, especially for sustainable brands showcasing their production methods. 

Here's how Macguire went behind the scenes with Stories:

16. Share your daily menu or specials

If your brick-and-mortar restaurant or bakery offers rotating menus or seasonal items, Instagram Stories are perfect for featuring limited-time items and daily menus. 

Here’s how Via Gelato and Juke’s Cuisine & Grille feature special flavors and menu items:

17. Highlight your latest photoshoot

 Maximize your efforts at product photo shoots by sharing the polished results and behind-the-scenes footage to Instagram Stories. 

💡Tip: Many of these Instagram Story ideas can also work for Reels. Consider creating a mix of Stories and Reels to meet different business objectives. For example, you can use Instagram Stories for exclusive deals for followers and Reels to build your following. 

Community and user engagement Story ideas

18. Repost user-generated content (UGC)

If you see customers sharing photos of your business, products, or services on Instagram, you can re-share their posts on your Stories. This lets customers know you appreciate them and builds social proof by highlighting the real customer experiences and their “mini reviews.”

💡 How to repost UGC: 

1. Find the post you want to share.
2. Click the Share icon (it looks like a paper airplane).
3. Click “Add post/video to your story.”
4. Add a caption, sticker, doodle, etc.
5. Click “Your stories” to post.

Here’s how Somos and Pepper shared UGC to their Instagram Stories:

19. Share customer testimonials and reviews

Sharing video testimonials and reviews from past customers is a form of social proof that can help prospective customers feel more confident about their purchases. You can use user-generated content (UGC) or create graphics with quotes from real customer reviews. Feature reviews that help customers understand the user experience and show off your bestsellers and most-loved items.

Here are two examples from Terra20 and K9 Ballistics:

20. Highlight a collab 

Collaborating with an influencer or another brand? Highlight your partnership on Instagram Stories and encourage them to do the same so you can introduce yourselves to each other’s followers. Remember to tag the collaborator and use the link sticker or “swipe up” feature to drive viewers to the collab collection or another page. 

Here are some collab examples from David’s Tea:

Promotions Story ideas

21. Promote your Instagram Reels

Increase views on your Instagram Reels by sharing them to your Stories. Because Stories appear at the top of the Instagram feed, they can capture the attention of Instagram users who might not see your Reels while scrolling their feeds. 

When you share a Reel to Stories, you can move it around the screen, adjust the size, and even change its orientation. Add a caption, GIF, sticker, or other visual elements to the Story to tease your Reels and encourage viewers to navigate to them.

22. Advertise an upcoming livestream

If you plan to go live as part of your brand’s social media marketing strategy, use Instagram Stories to promote the event so your followers can plan accordingly.

Here’s how Zen Art Supplies used Instagram Stories to announce upcoming live artist interviews:

23. Promote IRL and virtual events

Stories can help boost awareness and increase registration for in-person or virtual events. Tag speakers or special guests, include relevant info, and link your Stories to a signup or ticket sales page.

Here are two examples from Trixie Motel and Thrillist:

24. Promote career opportunities

Are you hiring? Use Instagram Stories to promote career opportunities within your network of loyal fans. Add a link sticker or use the “swipe up” feature to direct candidates to your careers page.

Here are two examples of career Stories from Melsys Illustrations and Mid-Day Squares:

Content sharing Story ideas

25. Create shareable branded graphics

Sharing branded graphics on Stories can improve your brand’s reach. Shareable graphics include facts and stats, memes, infographics, and topical thoughts on current events or trends. 

Here’s how Edward Bulmer Paints does it:

💡Tip: Use your brand fonts, colors, branded hashtag, and logo to encourage brand awareness and ensure content is attributed to your business, even if users don’t tag you.

26. Link to your website or landing page

Organic Instagram posts don’t allow links, but you can use the URL sticker feature on Stories to send followers to an event page, email signup, or contest. 

Here, food influencer and chef John Kanell uses many parts of his Instagram page—including Stories—to push followers to purchase his book on his website:

27. Link to blog post or podcast content

As part of your content marketing strategy, you can use Instagram Stories to push followers to high-converting content on other platforms, including your website’s blog or podcast. More than a third of Instagram users prefer short, narrative Stories with photos, videos, and text to other types.

Repurpose your blog posts or podcast into multiple story graphics, offering viewers the option to swipe up for the original content.

Here’s how Lane & Grey Fare used Instagram Stories to help followers find their recipe content:

28. Promote affiliate content

If you’re using affiliate links to generate passive income, you can promote affiliate products and services on your Instagram Stories. Add value by creating content that educates customers. Demos, unboxings, and reviews are perfect.

Here are two examples from Wirecutter and Thrillist: 

29. Share press features

Getting press is exciting. It provides street cred and can give your followers the confidence to purchase. Amplify your press mentions on your Instagram Stories. 

Here are two examples from Kulfi Beauty and TULA:

30. Use memes and other trends

Social media is powered by trends, memes, humor, and current events. Tap into the cultural zeitgeist by putting your brand’s spin on memes or trending topics. Remember, Instagram Story success requires authenticity; this idea works best for playful brands. You don’t have to hop on every meme or trend—pick the ones that feel natural.

Here are two examples from BarkBox, using the dog rating system popularized by WeRateDogs, and The Apartment, which built on Barbie fever in the wake of the movie release:

Giveaway and content Story ideas

31. Host giveaways

Giveaways can help you build followers on Instagram, and promoting them on your Instagram Stories can generate extra attention and entries. You can create multiple Stories, including a branded graphic with rules and entry guidelines. And, when you’re choosing a winner, be sure to record the announcement on your Stories for added engagement.

Here are two examples from Pinsy Shapewear and NoochPOP to inspire Instagram Story ideas for your account:

💡 Tip: To increase reach, make tagging friends or reposting the Story a requirement for entering the giveaway.

9 more ideas to level up your Instagram Stories

Here are some creative Instagram Story ideas for adding visual interest to your content. Many of these tactics also boost engagement, conversion, and reach.

1. Organize Stories into Story Highlights

Unlike Reels, Stories disappear after 24 hours. However, you can save evergreen Stories into Instagram Story Highlights, which appear as bubbles underneath your Instagram bio. This is a great way to organize Instagram Stories by product, content type, collection, or content category (press, how-tos, reward program info, etc.).

2. Increase engagement with the emoji slider

Instagram has several stickers that make your Stories more engaging. Like the poll sticker, the emoji slider helps solicit follower feedback. Cute Instagram Story ideas like this engage your audience and showcase your brand personality.

Spacegoods and Huel frequently incorporate emoji sliders into their stories to encourage engagement:

3. Jump on popular hashtags to boost reach

Occasionally, using the hashtag sticker can make your Story discoverable to users browsing that hashtag feed—especially if your account is public. Use hashtags that fit your brand; for example, if you’re a Halloween retailer, you might use the hashtag sticker for #halloweencostumeideas in October to attract seasonal traffic.

4. Play with text effects

There are several ways to add interest to your Stories with text effects.:

Use Instagram features

After typing your text, you’ll have access to type design tools to change the color and font, as well as various effects and animations.

Use handwriting

Use the drawing tool to write words or phrases with your finger instead of using the text tool. You can mix handwriting with typed text to emphasize certain aspects of your Story.

Add drop shadow

1. Add text to your story.
2. Copy the text and paste it to get an identical copy.
3. Select a different color for the newly pasted text.
4. Adjust one instance of the text slightly off-center on top of the other to create a drop-shadow effect.

Here’s an example of using Instagram Story tools to adjust text (left) and a DIY drop shadow effect (right):

5. Change the background color 

Some formats, like posts and horizontal or square photos, don’t fit the Stories aspect ratio, creating negative space. To fill it, Instagram will choose a background color for you based on asset colors, or you can follow these steps to use brand colors :

1. Add content to your Instagram Stories using the share icon under the post.
2. Click on the drawing tool.
3. Choose the desired color from the color selection tool at the bottom (hold down on a color to select from a larger spectrum).
4. Now tap and hold on any part of the screen. Your background color will be updated.

6. Use the eraser tool to reveal parts of a photo

Add a bit of mystique or unveil an exciting surprise for your followers by using the eraser tool to showcase the most thumb-stopping part of your Instagram Story.

1. Upload a photo from your album.
2. Use the drawing tool to select a color.
3. Hold down on the screen to cover up your photo.
4. Switch to the eraser tool.
5. Erase part of the color to reveal part of the photo.
6. Add text to complete the Instagram Story.

See how Farm Rio and Olend use the eraser tool to reveal parts of a product and create a sense of mystery around launches and restocks:

7. Use GIFs and effects

Find effects in the top right menu of the content creation window in Instagram Stories. Scroll the options to add filters, color effects, and animations.

GIFs are in the Instagram stickers menu. Tap GIF and use the search bar to find the kinds you want.

Here are screenshots showing how to use Instagram Story effects (left) and the GIF search tool (right):

8. Add location tags

Location tags help users discover content from local creators and brands and can be helpful for brands trying to build a local following or community. Find location tags in the stickers menu, then type your location in the search bar.

Tap the location sticker, then search for a verified location like this:

9. Post often and consistently

Consistency is key to engaging your audience and keeping your Stories at the top of their feeds. Aim to post one to two Stories a day to maintain visibility and stay top-of-mind.

Remember, Stories are designed for spontaneity and meant to be temporary, so don’t overthink them. Experiment, share candid moments, and test new ideas. Since Stories disappear after 24 hours, each one is a chance for connection without the pressure of perfection.

Photography tips for Instagram Stories 

Photographer Sarah Pflug recommends understanding the following photography fundamentals to help you get the most out of the Instagram Story ideas above. In general, aim for well-lit and properly cropped videos and pictures. 

Use the rule of thirds

This classic theory suggests dividing photos into nine equal quadrants and placing the subject in the right, left, top, or bottom third, not the center. To apply this rule, shoot photos on your phone with the “grid lines” setting on. 

Consider lighting

Before you buy lighting equipment, test out natural lighting by placing your subject in front of, beside, and behind your light source. See how lighting placement affects your photos and experiment with shadows, glare, and additional light sources. Simple lighting kits can help you create well-lit Instagram Stories.

Crop before uploading

Uploading a photo to Instagram Stories decreases its sharpness and resizes it to fit a 9:16 aspect ratio. To combat this, edit photos to the appropriate Instagram Story size before uploading them.

Apply these cool Instagram Story ideas today

The best Instagram Story ideas advance your brand goals. Remember your audience preferences and brand values whenever you create an Instagram Story. 

Instagram marketing is all about creativity and play, so try new designs, monitor your Instagram Insights, and post consistently to keep your audience engaged.

Additional reporting by Shuang Esther Shan