They show your profile visitors that your brand japan whatsapp number cares about quality
Let's explore how to transform these often-overlooked assets into strategic tools for your brand.
2. Use the psychology behind effective highlight covers
Understanding the psychology behind user behavior can help you design more effective Highlight covers. Here's what research tells us
We scan Instagram profiles in an F-pattern, so your first few Highlights matter most (Nielsen Norman Group, 2006)
Our brains process images in just 13 milliseconds – that's faster than you can blink! (MIT News, 2014)
Colors can instantly change how people feel about your brand (Color Research & Application, 2018)
Visitors decide if they trust your profile in under a second
These findings suggest that strategic design of your Highlight covers isn't just about aesthetics—it's about optimizing for how the human brain processes visual information.
Ready to design? Think of your Highlight covers like the chapter titles in a book — they should give viewers a clear preview of what's inside while maintaining your brand's unique identity. You have two main ways to do this:
The quick-and-authentic approach: Story screenshots
This is perfect if you want that authentic, behind-the-scenes vibe. Just grab your best Story moments and turn them into covers. Works great for:
Behind-the-scenes content that feels genuine and unpolished
User-generated content that showcases real customers
Event coverage where you want to show the actual atmosphere
The trade-off? While this approach is quick and authentic, it can sometimes look a bit inconsistent.
Instagram Highlights cover images - Design approaches
Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4
The polished approach: custom graphics
For established brands with a solid visual identity, custom graphics offer more control and consistency. Think of these like carefully designed book covers that immediately signal quality and professionalism.
