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How to Use and Search for Filters on Instagram 2023
Filters are not a new term. In fact they have been around since the early days of social media. Instagram filters continue to evolve as the social network develops, and today it seems there are unlimited choices for filters on Instagram. Instagram filters are a way to easily tweak the look of your content, and can enhance images and videos in terms of coloring, themes, and moods.
But, how do you use filters for each content type and how can you find them all? In this article we will break down using filters for each content type, how to find and search for filters, and some of the recent trending filters that you can utilize in your content to stay on top of the trends.
What Are Instagram Filters?
Before we start, let’s have a quick overview of what filters are available on Instagram. The network has native filters that can be added to both images and videos. These are presets that change the color of the content.
Effects are another element on Instagram that can transform content. These can include both static filters, as well as motion graphics, transitions, and text. Many times filters and effects can be somewhat interchangeable. In this post we will be focusing mainly on filters, but also touch on effects and how to find them.
Instagram Feed Post Filters
Static image posts on Instagram were the first content type to land on the network, and also where filters first appeared in 2011. Among the first filters were some of the classics: Valencia, Hefe, Mayfair, Amaro, Lo-Fi, Nashville, etc. When uploading an image, there are 61 preset filters available on the app for Instagram static feed posts.
How to find feed post filters
When going to upload a static feed post, either with a single image or a carousel, you will see all the filter options below the image after clicking on “Next”. From here you will see all the filter options, which will look like this:
If you are using the Instagram in-app camera, after capturing an image you will have the same filter options below the content.
Instagram Reels Filters
When it comes to Instagram Reels, the filters more or less resemble those of image feed posts. In fact many of them are the same filters as those of image feed posts. However, there are only 13 filters for Instagram video posts.
How to find Reels filters
To find Reels filters, once uploading your video and press “Next”, you will then need to click on “Edit video”. From here, you will see all the editing options at the bottom menu, where you will see Filter among these options. You will be able to select your filter from the network’s native library:
If you are filming the Reel with Instagram’s native app, you will also see more filter options at the bottom which you can swipe through. These are filters and effects made from other users on the app, which you can save for later use, send, or view the effect page.
Instagram Stories Filters
The filters on Instagram Stories are the same 13 as those available for Instagram Reels. These once again can be utilized to give your content that extra twist of color or vibe.
How to find Stories filters
After uploading an image or video to your story, you can browse the different filter options by swiping right. You will see the filter name appear in the middle of the screen.
For capturing Stories via the Instagram camera, the same filter options are available, and can be added after taking an image or video by swiping right to browse through the different filters. However, there are also more filter options available at the bottom of the screen. Most of these filters are made from other Instagram users.
How to Search for Filters on Instagram
Now that you know the different areas to find filters on Instagram, let’s see how you can search for filters and effects. We already saw how to search for trending effects for Reels and Stories.
However if you want to find some unique filters, one way to find filters is by viewing your Instagram Stories feed and seeing a filter that another has added to their story. If you see a filter you like, you can click on the filter name and choose to use the effect, save it, or send it.
To view trending effects, those specifically for Reels, and appearance effects, you can click on the “Effects” option in the camera, which is represented by three star icons. In this section, you can also search for effects and filters.
How to Save Filters on Instagram
When finding a filter or effect that you like, you can choose “Save effect” or . When you go to upload a Story or Reel next, you will see your new saved filters and effects in the in-app camera, at the bottom where the other users filters and effects appear.
How to Create Instagram Filters
To create a filter for Instagram Stories, you can use an external app called Meta Spark Studio. This platform is the official Meta tool where you can create as many filters as you want.This site has everything you need to create filters to use on Instagram Stories, and it is Windows and iOS compatible.
With this platform, it will walk you through creating your own AR filter. You can select from different templates, objects, and assets. However we must caution you that this can be a rather overwhelming platform to navigate, so make sure to utilize the platform’s tutorials and resources to build your filter or effect.
As you can see, there are a multitude of options for creating and utilizing Instagram filters. Now with the rise of AR effects, these can add a unique element to your content. Whether you want to make your own or use those created from other users, Instagram filters are still thriving and will only continue to evolve.
For more advice on using Instagram to leverage your brands social media, here is a marketing guide that can help you build and execute a solid strategy: