Instagram story - you either love it or hate it. Whether you're a fan or not, there's no denying that it’s one of the most popular features on the platform.

With over 500 million active users, Instagram Story is used by businesses and influencers to promote their products and services, engage with their audience, and build brand awareness with behind-the-scenes moments and day-to-day happenings.

For everyday people, it's a great way to stay connected with friends and family, and a fun way to document your life. However, with the ever-changing algorithm and new features being added all the time, it can be hard to keep up with the latest trends. 

That's why we’ve rounded up the coolest Instagram story trends that are worth following in 2022.

1. Augmented Reality (AR) filters

Perhaps one of the coolest things about Instagram Story is the ability to use AR filters. If you're not familiar with AR filters, they basically use augmented reality to add special effects to your photos and videos.

There are over hundreds of thousands of AR filters to choose from, ranging from face filters that add glasses or mustaches, to filters that turn you into a cartoon character. And with new ones being added all the time, there's always something new to try.

If you're looking to add some personality to your stories, AR filters are a great way to do it. Make sure to explore all the different options and find the ones that best represent your brand or style.

2. Type mode

Ever wondered how some people have those really cool, typed-out messages in their stories? Well, that's thanks to Type mode.

Type mode allows you to add text to your stories without having to use a bunch of different stickers. You can choose from a variety of fonts and colors, and even add backgrounds. You can even add music to your stories, which is great for adding a little extra flavor.

To access Type mode, simply tap on the "Aa" icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen and choose the rightmost option. 

3. GIFs

With so many GIFs available online, it's no surprise that they've become a popular way to add some personality to your stories. There's a GIF for just about everything, from expressing how you're feeling to adding a bit of humor to your Instagram photo.

To add a GIF to your story, click the Sticker icon on top and choose GIF. From there, you can search for a keyword or browse through popular categories. When you find one you like, just tap to add it to your story. Just make sure that it’s a high-quality GIF, as low-resolution ones can look fuzzy on stories.

Whether you're using a silly GIF like throwing cash away or a simple one like a good morning graphic with a sun on top, it can help lighten the mood and make your audience smile.

4. Polls and Questions

When you add a poll or question to your story, you're giving your audience the chance to interact with you. You can ask them anything from their opinion on a product to what they're up to this weekend.

Polls and questions are a great way to engage with your audience and get feedback on whatever it is you're curious about. Plus, they're just plain fun. To add a poll or question to your story, simply tap on the "Poll" or “Question” options in the Sticker menu.

For example, you could ask your followers which of two outfits they prefer, or you could ask them to vote on the next flavor of ice cream you should try. Keep the questions short and sweet, as people are more likely to respond to polls that are quick and easy to answer.

5. Shopping Feature

If you're one of the millions of business owners on Instagram, then you'll be happy to know that you can now add product tags to your Stories through your business account. This allows people to see the name with a clickable link to purchase the product you're featuring. 

To add a product link, simply tap on the "Product" sticker on the Sticker menu. Then, select the product you want to feature from your shop. You can even add a short description, call-to-action button, GIFs, and animations.

If you're not already using Shopping on stories, then you should definitely give it a try. It's a great way to promote your products and make it easy for people to buy them.

6. Story Highlights

Most people want their stories to be seen by as many people as possible, even after the 24-hour limit. Highlights are basically a collection or mini-album of your past stories, grouped together under a specific title.

You can group them together by theme, subject, or anything else you want. And the best part is, they live on your profile permanently, so people can always access them.

For example, if you have a bunch of stories from your last vacation, you could group them all together in a Highlight called "LA Vacay." That way, anyone who's interested can easily view all of your stories in one place.

To create a Highlight, simply go to your Profile and tap on the “+” sign just below your profile information. From there, you can add new categories in the Highlight section, or edit existing ones.

7. Story Templates

With so many businesses and influencers using stories, it can be hard to make yours stand out from the crowd. That's where story templates come in. 

Story templates are basically pre-designed layouts that you can use to make your stories look more professional and polished. There are templates for everything from budget trackers to product launches, and you can even find ones specifically for Instagram Story.

Many people find story templates to be a great way to add a little extra flair to their stories. Plus, they keep your stories looking cohesive and on-brand.

To find story templates, simply do a quick search on Google or Pinterest with your chosen theme or topic. You can also check out Canva, Unfold, and VistaCreate, which have a whole bunch of free and paid options.

Create Better Instagram Stories Today

Sharing stories on Instagram is a great way to connect with your audience and build brand awareness. But with so many different trends and features to keep up with, it can be tough to know where to start.

The next time you open up your Instagram app, take a look at some of the stories on your feed and see which ones capture your attention. Then, try out some of the trends we’ve listed above to see if you can create something even cooler.