Instagram highlights are collections of Stories that are saved on a user’s profile, remaining visible beyond the standard 24-hour Story lifespan. A question frequently arises concerning viewer privacy: whether a profile owner can identify individuals who have viewed these enduring Story collections. The platform’s functionality dictates that only the initial viewership of a Story during its active 24-hour period is trackable. Once added to a Highlight, the list of viewers for that specific Story segment is no longer available to the profile owner.
The design of this feature prioritizes a balance between user engagement and privacy. Allowing continued tracking of viewers for Highlighted Stories could potentially lead to altered user behavior, influencing the content shared and the frequency of interaction. The current structure encourages users to curate lasting content without the pressure of persistent surveillance on their viewing audience. This promotes a more relaxed and authentic engagement with the platform.