Instagram Stories is the feature launched in 2016 for posts designed to disappear after 24 hours.
Instagram introduced Stories on August 2, 2016. The format allowed people to combine photos and short videos into a temporary sequence displayed separately from the permanent grid. Users could add text, drawings, stickers and other effects, while viewers could tap through the sequence.
The feature closely resembled Snapchat’s temporary Stories format, leading to public comparisons between the two services. Instagram’s large existing user base helped the format spread quickly, and the company later added interactive tools such as polls, questions and music. Stories also became important for businesses and creators.
Stories are not the same as Instagram Reels, which are short-form videos generally intended for discovery and replay. Instagram Live is also different: it broadcasts video in real time rather than presenting a temporary collection of posts.