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Instagram's latest feature hasn't exactly gone down well with the app's users, as many have issued a warning branding it 'evil' amid claims that it could potentially leave you seriously exposed.
Social media platforms are always evolving to keep up with current trends and user appetites, and as a result you often see apps effectively 'stealing' their best features from each other.
We've seen this in abundance on Instagram over the years, as it not only took 'inspiration' from Snapchat's emergence by introducing Stories, but it also capitalized on the growing popularity of TikTok by adding its own short form video feed with Reels. Though other platforms like YouTube have also cashed in on this kind of feature with Shorts.
The latest version of this is actually a feature that's been present but underutilized in the app for a while, yet its rebranding has brought about fresh scrutiny and warnings from the wider community.
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As shared by Yahoo Life, Instagram has recently changed the branding for what was once referred to as 'Shots' – launched last year – into a new feature known as 'Instants', and it might feel a little familiar to long-time Snapchat users.
If you've never heard of or used the feature before, it's similar to Stories but designed to be sent to individuals or your Close Friends, and these images can only be viewed once-per-account and are active for just 24 hours after sending.
It's effectively Instagram's own version of standard Snapchat messages, but people have almost immediately shown their distaste towards it across social media.
"Instagram's new Instants feature is f***ing awful," writes one frustrated individual on X, with another pointing out the flaws present in its implementation: "Instagram just sent me 8 notifications regarding people sharing 'Instants'. Oh ok. The same notification 8 times btw."
this new instagram instants update is evil i just accidentally uploaded a photo of my laptop with a google doc called ‘yaoi’ visible on the screen and I couldn’t figure out how to delete it for five minutes FUCK
— daisy 🦇🎱🫧 PTV 14/04!! (@FLUG4M3) January 27, 2026
One even went as far to brand it 'evil', writing: "This new Instagram Instants update is evil I just accidentally uploaded a photo of my laptop with a Google Doc called 'yaoi' visible on the screen and I couldn't figure out how to delete it for five minutes F***."
You might want to be more careful over what you share through the feature then, as it seems as if some people are having trouble taking back what they throw into the void.
There's also a concern for when you might consider sending some more racy or spicy photos to a special someone, as Instagram has revealed that the photos are reviewed by its teams for breaches of its community standards, so you could end up being reported and potentially banned.
