Instagram is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a range of exciting features to engage users both in Stories and via Direct Messages. Here’s a breakdown of the key enhancements:
– **Secret Phrases in Notes**: Specific terms like “vday,” “ily,” and “pookie” trigger special visual effects in Notes, adding a touch of romance and whimsy to user posts.
– **Themed Fonts and Text Effects**: Retro-inspired fonts and text effects, as well as custom displays when tagging friends in Stories, are available to elevate user creativity.
– **Chat Themes**: New Valentine’s Day-themed backdrops for DM chats, including “Love,” “Sweetheart,” and “Candy Hearts,” are designed to match the holiday aesthetic.
– **Vinyl Music Sticker**: A limited-time vinyl record sticker can be added to Stories, which, when scratched, reveals a heart effect. This feature is exclusive to iOS.
– **“Add Yours” Templates**: Users can join or create their own Valentine’s Day-themed Stories templates submitted by creators, encouraging engagement and interaction.
– **DM Effects**: When sending DMs, users can use the magnifying glass to preview the recipient’s reaction and add animations by using specific terms or nicknaming friends.
These features are designed to enhance the Instagram experience during Valentine’s Day and will be available globally until February 15, 2025. For more information, visit the original article [here](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-valentines-day-stories-dm-effects/740021/).