Instagram Notes: how to share, change and delete a note

Notes are short text updates, up to 60 characters, that sit at the top of the Instagram inbox and above your profile picture on your profile. You can have one note at a time, and it stays visible for up to 24 hours.

For a business, the audience is the catch. You can only share a note with Followers you follow back or your Close friends, so a note reaches a small circle, not all your followers. Notes suit quick, personal updates for regulars, such as a fresh batch out of the oven or a last-minute opening, rather than announcements.

Source: Instagram Help Centre: Share a note with others on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026

Notes with GIFs or videos won't appear on your profile, only in the inbox. A location you add can be seen by anyone who can see the note, and needs location services switched on.

1. Tap Messages at the bottom.
2. Tap your profile picture at the top of your inbox.
3. Enter a note of up to 60 characters.
4. Optionally, mention someone (if they allow it), tap Add music, tap Add GIF, or tap Add location.
5. Choose Followers you follow back or Close friends.
6. Tap Share.

Source: Instagram Help Centre: Share a note with others on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026

1. Tap Profile or your profile picture in the bottom right.
2. Tap your profile picture.
3. Enter a note of up to 60 characters. You can mention someone or tap Add music.
4. Choose Followers you follow back or Close friends.
5. Tap Share.

Source: Instagram Help Centre: Share a note with others on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026

• Only the audience you chose. If you pick Close friends, the note is seen by close friends who follow you back
• People can like or reply to your note. Only you can see who liked or replied
• Tap your note to see who liked it, and tap Messages next to a name to start a conversation
• A reply starts a private conversation between you and that person, in your inbox
• Notes must follow Instagram's Community Standards, and a reported note can still be reviewed after it disappears

Sources: Instagram Help Centre: Share a note with others on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: Interact with notes you see on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026

A new note replaces your current one:

1. Tap your note at the top of your inbox or profile.
2. Tap Leave a new note.
3. Enter up to 60 characters and select the audience.
4. Tap Share in the top right.

• To remove a note early, tap it, then tap Delete note

Source: Instagram Help Centre: Share a note with others on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026

• Music notes aren't available in every country
• Your note has a GIF or video, so it shows in the inbox but not on your profile
• Location services are off, so Add location won't work
• The person you want to mention doesn't allow mentions
• Liking and replying to notes isn't available to everyone, and notes aren't available on Meta Quest devices

Sources: Instagram Help Centre: Share a note with others on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: Interact with notes you see on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026

Disclosure: this is our product. Notes are for quick asides; your feed carries the real message. Zolyp plans, writes and designs your Instagram posts and stories and publishes them once you approve. There's a 3-day free trial, no card required.