Instagram Highlights allow users to showcase curated stories on their profile beyond the standard 24-hour lifespan. The platform’s functionality regarding viewer tracking for these highlights is straightforward: the creator can see who viewed each individual story within the highlight within the initial 48-hour period after the story was originally posted. After 48 hours, the list disappears.
The ability to track views within the initial timeframe provides content creators with valuable insights into audience engagement and preferences. Knowing which stories resonate most strongly allows for data-driven refinement of future content strategy. Historically, this view-tracking feature was considered a standard and expected part of the Instagram experience, extending the ephemeral nature of stories into a more persistent profile element.