Instagram has launched a new feature called 'Instagram Channels' that is geared towards private messaging within the app. It's a group messaging function that enables users to stay up to date on specific topics, brands, people, and more.Instagram Channels is essentially a 'broadcast chat' that supports text, images, and polls, all within IG Direct. It's a game-changing feature that will transform how Instagram users interact with each other. Once you join a channel, it'll be added to your IG Direct chat list, and you'll be able to read and react to messages posted in the chat. However, you can't post anything yourself to the chat feed.
This feature is in line with Instagram's recent shift towards more private messaging on the app. Users are now engaging more in private messaging rather than posting to stories or the main feed. Instagram Channels will help users engage in conversations in a more organic and native way, allowing creators and brands to build a community around their content.This new feature is a way for Instagram to address the decline in user engagement and creation. An internal report by Meta showed that although time spent on Facebook and Instagram is on the rise, engagement and creation are declining. Fewer people are sharing personal updates than they have in the past, and users are reverting to messaging instead of sharing public updates.Instagram Channels could be a valuable consideration for your brand-building efforts. It's another way for creators and brands to engage with their audience in a more private setting. It's a simple and effective way to align with users' changing usage patterns and build community in a new way.Currently, the feature is being rolled out to selected users, and it'll soon be available on Facebook and Messenger as well. The introduction of Instagram Channels will bring a new level of engagement, making private messaging more exciting and interactive. Stay tuned for more updates!