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Instagram’s next new feature has just been leaked

By Sarah Chen
1 min read
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Instagram is testing new features all the time, but we don’t hear about many of them until Facebook makes them available to everyone. This is one of those exceptions where we learn about a new feature that Instagram plans to add to its apps after thoroughly testing it.

The next important addition to Instagram should be Reactions for Direct Messages. The information comes via Jane Wong, the reverse engineer who’s an ace when it comes to discovering unreleased features.

But that’s not the only source of the information. Facebook’s Tech Communications Manager, Alex Voica, confirmed that the unreleased feature is being tested for a few days. At the moment, non-employees can only see the “love” reaction, but there are six more that should be available at launch.

It’s impossible to give you an ETA for the new feature, but at least we know what Instagram is currently working on. Still, considering testing has only just begun, it will probably take a few weeks until they go public if nothing wrong happens.

Questions & Answers

Q.

What is the new feature Instagram is currently testing?

A.

Instagram is currently testing a new feature called Reactions for Direct Messages. This will allow users to react to direct messages within the app, similar to other messaging platforms. Initially, only the 'love' reaction is visible to non-employees during testing.

Q.

Who confirmed the development of this unreleased Instagram feature?

A.

The development of this unreleased Instagram feature was confirmed by Alex Voica, Facebook’s Tech Communications Manager. His confirmation supports the discovery made by reverse engineer Jane Wong, who often uncovers upcoming features before their official announcement.

Q.

How many reactions are expected to be available when the new feature launches?

A.

When the new Reactions feature for Direct Messages eventually launches, there are expected to be seven reactions available in total. During the current testing phase, non-employees can only see one of these, specifically the 'love' reaction, which is likely a preliminary stage.

Q.

When can users expect the Reactions feature to be widely available?

A.

It is impossible to provide an exact release date for the Reactions feature at this time. The article states that testing has only just begun, suggesting it will likely take a few weeks for the feature to become publicly available, assuming no issues arise during the testing period.

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