How to Create a Pinned Post Highlight on Instagram

Published on May 13th, 2025

Instagram’s pinned posts feature allows users to showcase up to three posts at the top of their profile feed, ensuring that important content remains visible to visitors.

While this feature is primarily designed for posts, many users aim to create a similar effect for their Story Highlights. This guide provides insights into utilizing both features effectively.

Understanding Instagram’s Pinned Posts

Introduced in 2022, Instagram’s pinned posts feature enables users to pin up to three posts to the top of their profile feed. This ensures that visitors see these posts first, regardless of when they were originally shared. To pin a post:

Navigate to your profile and select the post you wish to pin.
Tap the three-dot menu (•••) on the top-right corner of the post.
Select “Pin to your profile.”

These pinned posts can include photos, carousels, videos, and Reels. However, it’s important to note that this feature is separate from Story Highlights and does not directly apply to them.

Creating Story Highlights

While you cannot pin Story Highlights in the same way as posts, you can create and organize them to ensure important stories remain accessible:

Add Stories to Highlights:
- After posting a Story, tap the three-dot menu (•••) on the bottom-right corner.
- Select “Highlight” and choose an existing Highlight or create a new one.
Organize and Edit Highlights:
- Go to your profile and tap on the Highlight you wish to edit.
- Tap “More” (•••) and select “Edit Highlight” to add or remove stories.
- To change the cover image, tap “Edit Cover” and select a new image.

By thoughtfully curating your Highlights, you can ensure that important content remains easily accessible to your audience.

Designing a Pinned Post Banner

To create a cohesive and visually appealing profile, consider designing a pinned post banner:

Design the Banner:
- Use design tools like Canva to create a seamless three-part banner that spans your profile grid.
Upload the Banner:
- Post the banner as a carousel to your feed.
- Pin the first post of the carousel to your profile.

This approach allows you to highlight key information or branding elements at the top of your profile, similar to a pinned Story Highlight.

Best Practices for Using Pinned Posts and Highlights

Strategic Pinning: Regularly update your pinned posts to reflect current promotions, announcements, or important content.
Consistent Branding: Ensure that your Highlight covers and pinned posts align with your overall brand aesthetics.
Engaging Content: Use Highlights to showcase tutorials, FAQs, testimonials, or behind-the-scenes content to engage your audience.
Monitor Performance: Utilize Instagram Insights to track the performance of your pinned posts and Highlights, adjusting your strategy as needed.

Final Thoughts

While Instagram does not currently offer a direct method to pin Story Highlights, combining the use of pinned posts with well-curated Highlights can effectively showcase your most important content.

By strategically utilizing these features, you can enhance your profile’s visibility and engagement.

For a visual guide on creating and managing Instagram Highlights, consider watching the following tutorial: