📱 New Instagram features rolling out in 2026

Instagram is continuing to evolve its product around creators, brands, and AI-powered tools. January updates focus on better control, smarter workflows, and new monetization layers.

➡️ DM filters for large accounts
Instagram added a new DM filter for accounts with 10K+ followers. Brands can now sort messages more easily and spot potential influencer collaborations faster.

➡️ New profile tab in testing
A new playlist-style tab has appeared on some profiles. It looks like an attempt to reorganize content and simplify profile navigation, though the exact use is still unclear.

➡️ “Your Algo” controls for users
All English-speaking users now have access to algorithm controls. You can select topics you want to see more or less of directly from the Reels tab.

➡️ Major updates to Edits
Edits now supports interactive account links, weekly video ideas, multiple takes in storyboards, and a full insights dashboard covering views, likes, comments, shares, reposts, and saves.

➡️ AI voice filters in DMs
Users can apply AI-generated voice filters to messages, choosing or describing the voice they want. A lighter feature, but clearly part of Meta’s AI push.

➡️ AI transitions for Stories
Instagram is testing AI-generated transitions between photos in Stories, aiming to smooth multi-image posts without manual editing.

➡️ Watermarks may hurt reach
Mosseri confirmed that videos edited outside Instagram are fine, but visible watermarks can reduce distribution.

➡️ New paid features in testing
A new subscription tier may include unlimited audience lists, follower insights like who doesn’t follow back, and anonymous story viewing.

➡️ AI tagging inside Edits
Meta AI can now automatically identify and tag people in video clips, reducing manual work for group and talking-head content.

More control, more AI, more paid layers. Instagram is tightening the loop around creators in 2026.

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