Since you clicked on this article, I imagine you have some questions around those little symbols popping up around Instagram. What do they mean? What happens when you tap them? Settle in, friend, and let me enlighten you on Instagram‘s visual language.
Instagram logo
By quickly interpreting Instagram‘s icons even as new features roll out, you can transform into a power user.
First, let‘s level-set on why Instagram relies so heavily on icons in its mobile interface and the various sections where they appear.
Why So Many Icons?
As a platform built specifically for mobile, Instagram needs to pack tons of functionality into a compact space while remaining visually intuitive.
The app has become all about glancing quickly at photos and tapping to engage – no time for lengthy menus or confusing descriptions. Icons allow main features to be accessible via single tap.
And this icon-driven design is built with growth in mind…
Since launching in October 2010 from CEO Kevin Systrom, Instagram has exploded to over one billion monthly active users. It‘s expected to tack on over 100 million more users in the next year alone.
The majority of this engagement comes from mobile – likely the device you‘re reading this on!
Now let‘s explore the icons you‘ll encounter across various sections of the app:
The 4 Key Sections:
Home – Where you consume content
Posts – Options for engaging with posts
Profile – Managing your own content
Menu – Critical account management
Home Page Icons
Think of your Home page as command central – it’s likely where you’ll spend most of your time discovering content. The icons here help you access feed posts, search topics, and create your own stories or reels.
House Icon
Tapping the house guides you back to the Home tab displaying feed posts. Without this handy icon, new account holders often feel lost figuring out how to escape an endless scroll hole!
Magnifying Glass
This opens the Explorer page where posts are suggested based on your interests. You can also search hashtags and accounts.
Pro tip: Track relevant hashtags to stay on pulse of your industry or community‘s conversations.
Plus Icon
This is your gateway to content creation! Tap it to access cameras, filters and editing tools for manicuring photos and short videos.
Reels Icon
A relatively new addition, Reels allows you to produce 15 to 60 second multi-clip videos enhanced with audio and augmented reality effects. Tap here to watch reels from other accounts or create your own viral hit!
Heart Icon
You‘ll be notified here of new followers, comments, likes and tags. I‘d advise customizing notification settings so important activity comes through while avoiding unnecessary clutter!
Paper Airplane Icon
Direct messaging or DM-ing other users kicks off here. It‘s also the portal if you ever decide to shoot your shot and slide into those DMs.
Profile Photo
Last and certainly not least – this icon shaped like…well, you…navigates to your public profile page. This space allows you to express your personal brand and gives visitors a window into your Insta vibe.
Now that we‘ve covered the key icons on your Home page dashboard, let’s move onto those handy engagements symbols.
Icons for Interacting with Posts
Scrolling through your feed, you‘ll come across tons of glorious content. When something catches your eye, these icons allow you to dig in:
Heart Icon 😍
Double tap on a post or tap this icon to like pieces of content and support the creators behind it!
Pro tip: go easy on the double taps if you don‘t want to accidentally like posts from 2 years ago. This has happened to a friend 👀
Chat Icon 💬
Tap here to view existing comments on a post or leave your thoughts. Joining conversations can lead to connecting with likeminded people or potential new friends.
Pro tip: while differences of opinion happen, do aim to follow Instagram‘s community guidelines around keeping conversations respectful.
Paper Airplane Icon ✈️
This shares any post directly to another user‘s DM inbox. Super handy for sending friends content from private profiles they can‘t otherwise see!
Pro tip: be thoughtful about bombarding people‘s DMs and ask first before sharing private content.
Bookmark Icon 🔖
Tap this post-saving icon to file content away into organized Instagram collections based on topics. Refer back anytime for cooking inspo, small business tips, etc!
Curating collections takes work but pays dividends when you need a quick shot of motivation in niche areas!
Now let‘s move onto managing content on your own Instagram profile.
Profile Page Icons
While the home page helps you consume, your profile is where you control the content others see to understand you better. These icons allow you to organize the photos, videos and stories highlighting your Insta persona:
Three Line Icon
This opens a menu containing shortcuts to crucial account settings which we‘ll dig into more soon. But first…
Grid Icon
Tap here to curate the collection of all your posted photos and videos – otherwise known as your grid or profile feed.
Aim for a grid that helps potential new followers clearly understand your passions and PURPOSE behind having an Instagram.
Reels Icon 🎞️
Unlike the home page version, this shows just the reels YOU have posted. Think of these as short highlight reels showcasing more casual snippets vs carefully crafted grid posts.
Tagged Icon
Ever been tagged by friends in their Instagram stories or posts? This icon lets you review and control which tags actually appear on your profile.
Untagging unflattering pics is totally allowed! Though I don’t recommend going overboard with vanity.
Menu Icons
Last but definitely not least, accessing your account menu opens a coveted portal for customizing security, privacy, notifications and more.
Tap the three line menu icon from your profile, then check out these key options:
Settings Icon
This brings up everything from changing your password, managing contacts, controlling comments/tags visibility, who can message you, story privacy and MORE.
Schedule time to explore all the customizations possible here with settings – it‘s a game changer!
Clock and Four Dots Icon 🕰️
Tap to view your complete Instagram activity history across devices. It‘s all here – posts liked, searches, comments, etc. You can even download this data.
Use this icon to audit your usage (any signs of addiction? 😆) and tighten your security where needed.
Clock and Arrow Icon
Every story or temporary photo you‘ve shared over the years gets archived privately here for future reference. I can already predict the cringe that lies within for most people!
Bookmark Icon
As mentioned under post icons, this opens your bookmarked content collections. It saves you from scrolling endlessly to re-find gems you want to revisit.
Curate collections around inspiration themes like Health & Wellness, Wanderlust Travel or Foodporn Munchies!
Supervision Icon
For guardians of child accounts, this icon helps you manage parental supervision settings. Think time limits, disabling messages, restricting inappropriate content, etc.
As Instagram adds more ecommerce capabilities, you’ll also find self-explanatory icons in your menu for shopping orders and payment settings.
Level Up Your Instagram Icon Expertise
And there you have it – a complete walkthrough of the most vital icons you‘ll encounter in Instagram‘s mobile experience!
Recapping:
- Home – For consuming and searching content
- Posts – Interact via likes, comments and shares
- Profile – Control personal content
- Menu – Customize account, security and settings
Keep this guide bookmarked whenever you need a handy icon decoder ring.
Soon mastering Instagram‘s visual language will allow you to use the app efficiently while showcasing your brand.
As always, reach out with other questions!
