Instagram Is Testing A New 'Challenge' Sticker For Stories
Source: Jane Manchun Wong
Instagram may be rolling out a new Challenge sticker soon.
Reverse code engineer Jane Manchun Wong recently shared screenshots on Twitter, showing the availability of a Challenge sticker in the option tray for Stories.
Instagram is working on “Challenge” Sticker,
— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) April 15, 2020
letting users nominate their friends to different challenges pic.twitter.com/Nelgd1HN4J
Based on the screenshots shared and the way that other stickers function, users would be able to add the Challenge sticker to their Story, which would then prompt them to challenge another user by tagging them. Additionally, the screenshots show the option to ‘Type to search challenges,’ implying that there would be a list of specific challenges for users to choose from.
Insights & Analysis:
Instagram has historically launched several new features and tools based on how people are using their platform, especially when it comes to “workarounds.” One great example of this is the Facebook-owned platform launching the Close Friends feature after noticing a lot of younger users creating second private accounts to share content with specific individuals.
Although Instagram has yet to comment on this new sticker, my thought is Instagram is taking a similar approach with testing the Challenge sticker. It’s likely being tested as a result of the increased amount of challenges popping up on the platform over the last month due to stay at home advisories. From push up challenges to drawing challenges, there was a period where Instagram was flooded with users tagging each other to participate in challenges. These challenges provide a way for people to interact with each other and entertain each other while being confined to their homes.
Along with this, TikTok has had a lot of success with challenges. One could argue that a big part of its current success is due to the challenges that exist on the platform.
By Instagram testing a Challenge sticker and eventually launching one, it would give users a native feature to execute challenges on the platform, which could increase engagement on the platform. Additionally, a Challenge sticker could help Instagram potentially keep the attention of users who may be flocking to TikTok for challenge-inspired content.
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