How to Create and Update IG Story Highlight Covers

Jul 19

Discover tips on design, personalization and relevance! ♡

When creating and updating Instagram Story highlight covers, make sure that you focus on consistency, correct dimensions, personalize the designs, and use relevant icons.

In today’s digital age, Instagram isn’t just a photo album. It's your brand’s stage, where every post and story is a chance to dazzle your audience. The platform’s secret weapon? Story highlights that sit below your profile and show the best of your content. But here’s the trick: their cover images aren’t just decoration but your brand’s digital handshake, and a sneak peek into your business.

Let’s dive into the art of creating and updating IG Story Highlight Covers because as we all know, first impressions count – especially online!

Part 1: how to create Compelling IG Story Highlight Covers

#1 Consistency and Cohesion

Keep your Highlight covers in sync with a consistent vibe – using the same colors, font and style. It makes your brand instantly recognizable and gives your profile a signature look. Each cover and the respective Highlight becomes a part of your general brand identity, making it easy for audience recognizability.

Your audience will also appreciate your keen eye for detail, and have a positive opinion of your business.

This image shows the Americana Motor Hotel Instagram Story highlight cover designs that are consistency and cohesive with their branding.

#2 Optimal Dimensions

When creating IG Story Highlight covers, remember they appear in a circular format. When you design them using tools such as Canva or Adobe PhotoShop, make sure they fit within this circular frame. This way, your covers will look great individually but also complement each other perfectly.

When creating and updating IG story highlight covers, ensure that you're using optimal dimensions.

#3 Personalization

To personalize your cover designs, focus on adding a personal touch that fits your brand story and speaks to your audience. Whether it’s using your signature colors, logo or graphics that reflect your vibe, these elements will make your profile pop.

Think of your covers as a visual introduction to your content that captivates and encourages viewers to explore what you have to offer.

via GIPHY

#4 Relevance

If you choose to make your covers as succinct as possible, think about icons that immediately convey each Highlight’s contents. For example, a palette icon for “New Arrivals” or a map pin for “Locations” are simple yet effective options.

To make it even clearer, consider adding titles directly on the covers. It's like giving your audience a roadmap to effortlessly navigate your profile and ensure they find exactly what they’re looking for.

Creating relevant IG story highlight covers means using icons that match the highlight. This image shows location, email, and camera icons within an orange box.

#5 Implementation

When you’re uploading your IG Story Highlight covers, save them in PNG format to maintain their quality. Instagram tends to compress JPEG files which can reduce the sharpness of your images especially in detail-heavy designs.

PNG files also support transparency so you can create covers that blend into your profile’s background. This is also useful if you have a specific color theme or background on your Instagram profile.

Maintaining high-quality images will present you and your brand in a positive light and attract more engagement from your viewers!

Before updating your IG story highlight covers, ensure that images are exported in PNG files. This image shows three benefits to PNG files. These benefits include high quality images, layered text and graphics, and a wide range of effects.

Part 2: how to update ig story highlight covers

Lets Keep This Short + Simple

Go to your Instagram profile
Tap on the highlight you want to update
Tap on the three dots (⋮) at the bottom-right corner
Select “Edit Highlight” and then tap “Edit Cover”
Tap on the image icon to access your gallery then select your image
Position the image within the circle frame and tap “Done” to save
Repeat for each highlight you wish to update and viola!

Next step? Keep your highlight covers fresh and relevant to your current branding and content. ↓

Part 3: how to maintain your IG Story Highlight Covers

#1 Seasonal Updates

Keep your highlight covers dynamic by updating them to match seasonal shifts or special events that resonate with your audience. This keeps your profile current and shows you’re tuned into what's happening in your industry and community.

Be strategic, and use IG Story Highlight covers for promotional campaigns and product launches. For example, titles like “Limited Edition” and “Flash Sale” are great ways to promote your business! For example, check out a company like Glossier for inspo.

Online audiences can get bored easily so regularly refreshing your Highlights is a great way to maintain relevance.

To maintain your IG story highlight covers, make season updates. This screenshot shows the Glossier IG story higlight covers which are updated often.

#2 Monitor and Adjust

Instagram Insights is a great tool to effectively monitor how your IG Story Highlight covers are performing. Before making any changes, take a look at your views and interactions to determine what needs to stay the same or change.

Also be sure to listen to audience feedback about your cover designs through DMs, comments and polls to determine what is or isn’t working!

Schitts Creek GIFfrom Schitts GIFs

Pass it off to the pros

Mastering IG Story Highlight covers will boost your small business’ Instagram presence and brand image. Be intentional and consistent in your design choices to improve your account’s visual appeal and identity. Use these steps to effectively tell your brand’s story and engage your audience!

Ready to take your social media game to the next level? At Soctt Social, a boutique social media marketing agency based in sunny Phoenix, Arizona, we specialize in helping small and medium-sized businesses like yours thrive online. Contact us today to see how we can elevate your social media presence and drive real results.