Instagram has been testing out new changes from some time now. While most reported features like hiding like count and lyrics for Stories are yet to roll out, the company has announced some new changes to the Explore tab, which users will now notice features a revamped look and shows Stories from other users. The Explore tab is for users to discover content on the platform from accounts they don’t follow. One will also now find new options on the navigation bar in the Explore tab where IGTV and Shop options are the first two default shortcuts. Food, Travel, Art and other topics will also be displayed that ordered depending on the interests of the user.
IGTV’s home page is also revamped and one will get to browse a personalized feed of recommended videos from creators the user follows or might want to follow. When accessing the Shop option, the navigation option will show category filters that will enable users to browse specific types of products on Instagram, including Clothing, Home Decor, Beauty, and more. The option to get filters in the navigation tab is rolling out in the US now. Similar to videos, Stories appearing in the Explore tab will also be based on personalised recommendation. Instagram says users will start seeing them over the coming weeks.
In other Instagram news, the app is reportedly testing a new Sticker feature. As per a previous report, Instagram is testing a new sticker in Stories that shows lyrics when a song is playing in the background. The feature is said to work in Stories and adds to the ‘Music Sticker’ that was launched in June last year and enabled users to add soundtracks to their Stories. Users will need to select the music icon located under 'stickers'. once selected, users will be shown an option to add a specific song to their Story. Instagram notes that it has a “library of thousands of songs” from which users can choose music, with more music being added to the library every day.