Explain Instagram to me!

[Fordian]

What do the pictures in the circles along the top mean?

You can tap on them and get what I'd call 'a reel' which will spool through, then skip to the next in line, and so on.

Why these people (whom I'm either following or the algorithm thinks I should 🤔)? It's not like they've added anything recently, necessarily.

You can 'comment' on these reels but where do your comments go? You'll not see them, or any reply from your mate/ followee?

This feature seems utterly removed from the body of Insta, which you can scroll down through, open remarks, make remarks, find remarks.

Thanks.

Story. You can put a permanent post up or post a story that lasts for 24 hours

Can you tell permanence from 24 hours on someone else's 'picture in a circle'? And if you comment on one, where does it go? Presumably they get to see it?

If you comment on their stories (the short videos you see when you click their pic in the circle) you're seeing things that will expire in 24 hours. You're following people if you see their stories circles. Any reaction goes to them, you can find the reaction/comment in your own inbox if you go there after sending it.

If you comment on someone's story, it does to their direct messages. Which you'll see in the top left hand corner, it's the little arrow. You can see who has messaged you, and what you have messaged other people

Sorry right hand corner!

If you comment on someone's Story, they get the comment as a DM, and they can reply to it there

Sorry if you click on their stories should be my first line, I started saying one thing then changed to the other!

I can't see a little arrow, top left or right! 😳

The arrow next to the heart. That's your direct messages.

It’s a paper aeroplane sign for messages in the top right (not an arrow) :)

Why these people (whom I'm either following or the algorithm thinks I should 🤔)? It's not like they've added anything recently, necessarily.

They HAVE added something recently, they have added to their stories, they only last for 24 hours. Stories can be made "permanent" by adding to the highlights in their profile page but they would no longer show when you click on the picture in a circle as you call it.

Top right hand corner on your feed has a paper aeroplane icon, that's your dm inbox, any comments you post on stories can be seen in there

And my teenage students tell me there is a whole sub-communication thing going on with "liking" Instagram stories etc.
(If you like a permanent post that's older than a couple of days, you're coming on to the person apparently and it's known as a tactical like, whilst responding to a story by sending a "heart" or whatever is basically asking them to shag you.

I daren't bloody do anything on there.

I totally don't get IG. Makes no sense. I'm

@Fordian, for example if Rochelle Humes makes a pretty boring video about her school run she will post it as a story for 24 hour and you can send her a direct emoji or a direct message she can read saying something like "❤️". It then disappears.

But if Rochelle is wearing her range of clothing at Wimbledon she will post it on her main grid and you can like the post and it will remain there for years.

Using the stories you can easily contact someone you follow with a reaction.

So it is!

And my teenage students tell me there is a whole sub-communication thing going on with "liking" Instagram stories etc.
(If you like a permanent post that's older than a couple of days, you're coming on to the person apparently and it's known as a tactical like, whilst responding to a story by sending a "heart" or whatever is basically asking them to shag you.

Well I've clearly given myself quite a reputation by responding to posts with hearts. What must John Lewis, J K Rowling and Attlee-the-speakers-cat think of me... 🤣

me too! Until they told me, and I said to DD "is this horror true?" And she said "well d'oh, of course it is, don't tell me you've been liking old photos people put up- that's the equivalent of putting your keys in the ashtray at a dinner party"