Love is in the air, and Instagram is making sure you feel it—whether you’re celebrating romance, friendships, or just embracing the Valentine’s spirit. The platform has rolled out a series of themed features that bring a little extra charm to DMs and Stories. From custom fonts to interactive effects, here’s what users can expect this week.
Special Effects for Notes
Instagram’s Notes feature is getting a Valentine’s Day glow-up. Users who include certain romantic words—like “vday,” “ily,” or “pookie”—in their Notes will see their messages wrapped in themed effects.
It’s a subtle but cute addition, making the Notes section feel a little more festive. If you’ve got a secret admirer, this might be the time to test out a coded message and see if they notice the new effect.
Themed Fonts and Custom Text Effects
Instagram is also rolling out new Valentine’s-inspired fonts and text effects, giving Stories an extra layer of personalization.
- When tagging friends in a Story, users will see a special custom display.
- The fonts and effects will match the overall Valentine’s aesthetic, which means expect plenty of pinks, reds, and hearts.
While the color scheme might not be for everyone, the playful elements make it a fun way to engage with followers during the holiday.
Chat Themes to Set the Mood
For those who love a good aesthetic, Instagram is introducing new chat themes just in time for Valentine’s. The available themes include:
- Love – Expect lots of red and heart motifs.
- Sweetheart – A softer, pastel-colored theme for a cozy chat vibe.
- Candy Hearts – Inspired by the classic Valentine’s Day candy, this one is sure to be playful.
Once applied, these themes will give direct messages a festive, themed background and font color to match. They’re an easy way to make conversations feel more in tune with the season, whether you’re texting your partner or sending ironic Valentine’s jokes to your friends.
New Stories Templates to Encourage Engagement
If you’re looking for creative ways to participate in the holiday, Instagram has you covered. The platform is featuring new creator-submitted Stories templates with Valentine’s themes, designed to boost engagement.
These templates let users share interactive content with their followers, whether it’s a Q&A, a photo collage, or a fun poll. Since they’re creator-made, there’s also a chance you’ll see some unexpected and quirky takes on the holiday.
Vinyl Music Sticker Brings a Nostalgic Touch
One of the more unique additions this year is the Vinyl Music Sticker. It lets users add a song to their Stories, but with a twist—the sticker itself looks like a record, and you can “scratch” it for a special heart effect (though this feature is limited to iOS users).
It’s a fun nod to classic vinyl records, and for those who like to share music on their Stories, this sticker adds a little extra flair to the experience.
Animated DM Effects for Extra Romance
Instagram is also adding an interactive animation for direct messages that include certain Valentine’s-related words.
- Before sending a message, users can tap the magnifying glass to apply an effect.
- Messages will be sent with a themed animation, adding a surprise element for the recipient.
On top of that, Instagram is letting users assign nicknames to their friends or crushes in DMs, making the chat experience even more personal. And good news—this feature isn’t disappearing after Valentine’s Day.
A Lighthearted Way to Celebrate
While some might roll their eyes at the overload of pink and hearts, Instagram’s latest features are all about making conversations and interactions more engaging. Whether you’re celebrating love, friendships, or just here for the aesthetic updates, these small additions bring a little fun to the platform.
