Instagram has become more than just a photo-sharing app. Today, it’s a platform for personal branding, business marketing, storytelling, and more. One often-overlooked yet powerful feature on Instagram is the Instagram highlight cover. These small circular graphics sit right below your bio and act as a first impression for visitors. Done right, they can immediately elevate your profile’s aesthetics, communicate your brand, and encourage more clicks and engagement.
In this blog, we’ll dive deep into practical Instagram highlight cover design tips to help you build a cohesive and visually appealing feed that grabs attention.
What Is an Instagram Highlight Cover?
An Instagram highlight cover is the image or icon that appears as the preview for each of your Story Highlights. These covers are customizable and play a key role in how people perceive your brand or personality on the platform. Whether you’re a content creator, business owner, or influencer, having well-designed highlight covers is a small detail that makes a big impact.
Why Your Instagram Highlight Cover Matters
Think of your Instagram profile as your digital storefront. The Instagram highlight cover acts like the signage that attracts passersby to come inside. Here’s why it matters:
Visual branding: Custom covers show you’ve put thought into your visual identity.
Professionalism: Clean, cohesive covers instantly make your page look polished.
User navigation: Clear icons or text on highlight covers help visitors quickly find the info they’re looking for.
Boosts engagement: Attractive covers encourage profile visits and clicks on highlights.
1. Maintain Brand Consistency
When designing your Instagram highlight cover, always stick to your brand guidelines. Use your brand colors, fonts, and icons to maintain a consistent look across all highlights. This helps with brand recognition and strengthens your visual identity.
Tip: Use the same background color for all highlight covers and vary the icons to represent different categories.
2. Choose Readable and Simple Icons
Icons should be simple, universally understandable, and relevant to the content in the highlight. Avoid overly detailed or intricate icons—they won’t look good at the small size they appear on Instagram.
Examples:
A plane icon for “Travel”
A fork and knife for “Food”
A camera for “Photoshoots”
Make sure your Instagram highlight cover is easy to interpret at a glance.
3. Use Tools Like Canva or Adobe Express
You don’t need to be a graphic designer to create a standout Instagram highlight cover. Platforms like Canva, Adobe Express, and PicsArt offer free templates tailored for Instagram covers.
Pro Tip: Start with a 1080×1920 px design (the size of an Instagram Story), so you get a high-quality crop when uploading.
4. Use Contrasting Colors
If your icon is white, choose a bold or dark background color, and vice versa. This contrast helps the icon pop, making it easily visible even on mobile screens. Contrast improves not just aesthetics but accessibility.
Avoid using the same color for both the background and the icon—your Instagram highlight cover should catch the eye, not blend in.
5. Name Your Highlights Strategically
Pairing a good Instagram highlight cover with an effective title increases the chances of someone tapping into your stories. Keep highlight names short and to the point—ideally 1–2 words.
Examples:
“Tips”
“Shop”
“Events”
“Behind”
Titles should complement the cover icon, making it easier for users to understand the content category.
6. Don’t Overcrowd the Design
Less is more when it comes to an Instagram highlight cover. Keep the design clean. Avoid text unless absolutely necessary, and focus on one icon per cover.
This minimalistic approach ensures your profile doesn’t look cluttered and makes navigation easier for users.
7. Align Your Covers Symmetrically
Symmetry creates harmony. Ensure all your Instagram highlight covers are aligned the same way. If you’re using icons, they should all be centered with consistent spacing from the edges. This attention to detail enhances your overall profile aesthetic.
8. Update Covers Seasonally or for Campaigns
If you run promotions, launch products, or host events, consider updating your Instagram highlight cover to reflect the theme. Seasonal updates can keep your profile fresh and relevant.
For example:
Use red/green icons for Christmas
Floral tones for spring
A special icon for product launch week
9. Optimize for Mobile Viewing
Most Instagram users browse via mobile. So always preview your Instagram highlight cover on your phone before publishing. What looks good on a desktop might be too small or blurry on mobile.
Make sure icons are large enough to be clear on smaller screens.
10. Test and Iterate
Don’t be afraid to test multiple designs and see what resonates with your audience. Use Instagram Insights to track if your profile views increase after updating your highlight covers. This data can help guide future design decisions.
Final Thoughts
An effective Instagram highlight cover might seem like a small detail, but it plays a huge role in how your profile is perceived. It reflects your professionalism, boosts engagement, and improves user experience. By following these tips, you can create stunning highlight covers that align with your brand and invite more interactions.
Don’t underestimate the power of small visual upgrades—they can make a big difference in how people engage with your Instagram presence.