The Instagram platform provides tools for users to share ephemeral content called “Stories,” which can be further organized and saved into collections known as “Highlights.” A key aspect of user interaction revolves around the visibility of viewers. When a user posts a Story, they can access a list that reveals which accounts have viewed that specific Story. However, this visibility differs for Highlights. While the original Story view list is available for the initial 24 hours, this data is not directly transferred to the Highlight.
Understanding viewer privacy is paramount for both content creators and viewers. The ability to discern who has viewed content can influence content strategy, audience engagement, and personal privacy management. The historical context involves the evolution of ephemeral content features on social media platforms and the increasing user demand for transparency and control over their viewing activity data. The platform’s design emphasizes transient engagement with Stories, while Highlights serve as a more permanent showcase, thus impacting viewer tracking capabilities.
