October Instagram Updates: What Small Businesses Should Try, Watch, and Ignore
By Corey C. Walker
Instagram can make every update feel like another thing to learn before you can get back to running your business. A new tool. Another feed test. A feature someone else has, but you can’t find. But not every change needs your attention.
October’s reported updates include carousel tools, saved-content search, and browsing experiments. Here’s what’s worth trying, watching, or leaving alone.
Try: Carousel Tools in the Edits App
Instagram’s Edits app reportedly now supports creating and editing carousel posts, making it worth a look even if Reels aren’t your favorite format.
You don’t always need video to explain something useful. A carousel can answer buying questions, explain a process, or highlight product details.
Try content like:
Three things to know before booking your service.
A guide to using your product.
Answers to common buying questions.
A closer look at your latest collection.
If you’ve got the tools, test them on one post. The goal isn’t to move your entire workflow. It’s to see whether a task gets easier. If your current design tool does everything you need, you don’t have to switch.
Try: Searching Your Saved Posts
Saving inspiration is easy. Finding it again is another story. A reported update adds search within saved posts, plus access to saved posts and collections from Explore.
If you’ve got it, try finding a tutorial, content idea, or reference you saved. Use it for inspiration, not copying. Ask, “How could I explain this through my own experience?”
If your saved folder is a pile of good intentions, organize collections around what you actually need.
Watch: The Reels-First Feed Test
Instagram is reportedly testing a Reels-first feed on iOS. Testing doesn’t mean every account has changed or that photo posts are going away.
You don’t need to abandon carousels and start filming daily. Some customer questions need a demonstration. Others work well as a photo or a few slides. Match the format to the message. A layout experiment isn’t a reason to scrap a useful content plan.
Watch: A Threads Sticker for Stories
A Threads sticker for Instagram Stories is reportedly being tested on iOS. If you already use Threads to share useful thoughts and talk with customers, it could be worth exploring. If you don’t, there’s no reason to add another platform just because connecting the two might get easier.
Start with your audience and purpose, not the feature.
Ignore for Now: Features Still in Development
Reported developments include timestamped comments and a “Longform” profile tab. Wait for clearer information about what they do, who gets them, and whether they solve a business problem.
You don’t need a strategy for a feature you can’t use yet.
What Actually Deserves Your Attention?
Before trying a feature, ask:
“Will this make my content more useful, my workflow easier, or my next step clearer for customers?”
If yes, run a small test. If you’re only interested because everyone’s talking about it, leave it alone.
October’s updates don’t need to become October’s homework. Try what helps, watch what’s developing, and stay focused on your customers.
My Book Is Available for Preorder!
I’ve got some exciting news: the third edition of Instagram For Dummies, which I co-authored with Jenn Herman and Eric Butow, is now available for preorder!
If Instagram’s constant changes leave you wondering where to start, this book offers clear explanations and step-by-step guidance. Inside, we cover creating photos, carousels, and Reels, understanding the algorithm, growing your following organically, and keeping your account secure.
Whether you’re getting started or using Instagram for your business, you’ll find practical tips to help you feel more confident on the platform.
The book comes out December 8, 2026, and you can reserve your copy now.
Written by Corey Walker, co-author of six bestselling Dummies books on Instagram and owner of a social media marketing agency that helps businesses and creators generate more leads and sales through social media.
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