INSTAGRAM LAUNCHES INSTANTS FOR EPHEMERAL PHOTO SHARING

INDUSTRY DESK■ 1 MIN READ

WED, MAY 13, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 5 SOURCES ▸ TIMELINE

Meta has rolled out Instants, a new feature for sharing disappearing photos within Instagram and as a standalone app in select countries. The feature lets users share candid, unedited photos with Close Friends or mutual followers that vanish after 24 hours.

Instants photos can only be viewed once and cannot be edited before sharing, positioning the feature as a direct competitor to Snapchat and BeReal. Users access Instants through their Instagram DM inbox on the main app or download the dedicated Instants app where available. The photos disappear after 24 hours, encouraging spontaneous sharing without the polished aesthetic of traditional Instagram posts. Instants are limited to Close Friends or accounts that follow you back, restricting distribution to trusted connections. The rollout marks Instagram's latest effort to integrate ephemeral content formats into its platform. The feature becomes globally available as a standard Instagram inbox function beginning Wednesday, while the standalone Instants app enters testing in specific regions. Meta continues to adapt features from competing platforms to retain user engagement across its social media portfolio.

■ SOURCES

► The Verge ► TechCrunch ► Techmeme ► TechCrunch ► Engadget

■ SUMMARY WRITTEN BY AI FROM THE LINKS ABOVE

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INSTAGRAM LAUNCHES INSTANTS FOR EPHEMERAL PHOTO SHARING

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