Instagram broadcast channels become more interactive with replies, prompts

Instagram has received some new updates that make broadcast channels more interactive and fun. There are two major features added to broadcast channels – replies and prompts.

Both are some of the much-needed features, enabling conversations and interactions within a broadcast channel. Here’s everything you need to know about Instagram’s latest features, how you can use them.

What are Instagram’s new broadcast channel features, how to use them

Instagram revealed that broadcast channels are receiving the much-needed upgrades. The first upgrade is the ability to reply to a post in a broadcast channel. Yes, you can finally make two-way conversations with your favourite creator or celebrity within broadcast channels.

However, replies on broadcast channels are different. All replies to a post in a broadcast channel are nested within the original messages. This is similar to Telegram, which nests all the replies within a message or post. This way broadcast channels don’t become a cluttered, while still allowing your audience to interact.

Notably, the creators of a broadcast channel can also report or delete any reply to ensure that the content remains appropriate for everyone. To use the new replies feature, all you need to do is to long press a post (which can be a photo, message, or a poll) in a broadcast channel, and hit Reply. Then, draft your message and hit send.

Another useful feature being added to broadcast are prompts. Prompts let creators kickstart a conversation with their followers. Prompts can be simple questions that your followers can respond to, beginning the interaction process.

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Creators can choose between suggested topics or create their own prompts that suit their broadcast channel. Once a prompt is sent, followers get up to 24 hours to respond. To use this feature, all you need to do is tap the ‘+’ icon in your broadcast channel and select ‘Prompt’.

Besides this, Instagram has also introduced new insights so that creators can know their audience better with metrics. Based on the insights, Instagram will also offer personalised recommendations to the creators. All these features are already live on Instagram. But if you don’t see them on your Android phone or iPhone, just update the app to the latest version and wait for them to show up.