Stories disappear after 24 hours unless you save them to Highlights. They're where your existing followers hear from you most.
| What | Spec |
|---|---|
| Size | 9:16, 1080 × 1920 |
| Video length | Up to 60 seconds per Story with no split. Instagram removed the old 15-second chop in 2022. Longer videos are split into several Stories. |
| Video via the API | 3–60 seconds, max 100 MB |
| Images via the API | JPEG, max 8 MB |
| Lifespan | 24 hours |
Safe zones
- Keep text and stickers out of the top ~14% (~270 px), where your profile name sits, and the bottom ~14% (~270 px), where the reply bar is.
- Meta's 2026 ads guidance now uses a single safe zone for Stories and Reels: top 14%, bottom up to 35%. If you're making something to reuse in both, design to the stricter Reels zone.
Link sticker
- Since October 2021 every account can add a link sticker, not just accounts above a follower threshold.
- In the Story editor, tap the sticker icon and choose Link.
- Keep link Stories simple: one link and one reason to tap.
Not available through scheduling tools: Meta's API can't publish link, poll or location stickers. Add those in the app.