How to Change the Background Color on an Instagram Story: Quick and Easy Guide

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6 mins

Unlock creative potential by learning to change the background color of your Instagram Stories, enhancing the visual appeal.

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Reviewed by Chloe Bidle

Creative social media strategist, driving engagement and innovation.

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Contents

  1. Why Should You Optimize Your Instagram Stories
    1. Engagement
    2. Visibility
    3. Branding
    4. Analytics
    5. Follower Growth
    6. Call to Action
    7. Creativity
    8. Storytelling
    9. User Interaction
    10. Competition
  2. Steps to Follow to Change the Background Color on Instagram Story
    1. Can I use my own image as the background for an Instagram story?
    2. Is changing the background of an Instagram story easy?
    3. What tools or features can I use to edit my Instagram story's background?
  3. The Bottom Line
  4. Frequently Asked Questions
    1. What are the steps to alter the solid background color in an Instagram Story on an iPhone?
    2. How can one change the Instagram Story background when using a photo on Android?
    3. What is the method for applying a gradient background to an Instagram Story?
    4. Can the background color be changed on an Instagram Story that includes a video without obscuring it?
    5. Is it possible to modify the background hue on Instagram Stories for videos, and if so, how?
    6. What techniques are available for changing the Instagram Story background color, specifically on YouTube tutorials?

Instagram Stories offer a dynamic way to engage with your audience. They are not just a tool for sharing moments but also a canvas for creativity. Among the many customization options, changing the background color of your story can significantly impact the visual appeal of your posts. Whether you want to maintain brand consistency, match your mood, or simply make text pop, adjusting the background color is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your Stories.

Changing the background color of your Instagram Story is a straightforward process. It is achievable directly within the Instagram app using a few simple steps. By understanding how to manipulate this feature, you can create more cohesive and stylized content that resonates with your followers. Whether you upload a photo, repost content, or start with a blank canvas, personalizing the background color allows your content to stand out in a busy social media landscape.

Why Should You Optimize Your Instagram Stories

Optimizing your Instagram Stories is crucial as it improves your engagement, increases visibility, solidifies your branding, provides valuable analytics, supports follower growth, and encourages user interaction. Every aspect of your Story, from the use of stickers and GIFs to the strategic application of branded colors, contributes to the efficacy of your content on social media.

Engagement

Increasing engagement is one of the primary reasons to optimize your Stories. When you customize your content with stickers, emojis, or music, your Stories become more interactive, prompting viewers to spend more time on your posts. This can lead to higher engagement rates and more views.

Visibility

By using relevant hashtags, tagging users, and employing the right effects, your Stories gain visibility. This not only helps in reaching your existing followers but also puts your content in front of a broader audience, potentially appearing in the Explore section.

Branding

Optimization allows you to maintain consistency in your branding. Using custom backgrounds that align with your brand color increases recognition and establishes a cohesive look across all Stories. This consistency helps followers to instantly identify your content.

Analytics

Through Instagram's analytics, you can track the performance of your Stories. This data can guide you in refining your strategy, using insights on what content types or design elements resonate most with your audience.

Follower Growth

Well-optimized Stories can contribute to follower growth. High-quality, engaging content is more likely to be shared and can attract new followers who are interested in your narrative or the products you showcase.

Call to Action

Including a clear call to action (CTA) in your Stories can direct your audience towards your desired outcome, whether it’s visiting a website, participating in a poll, or making a purchase.

Creativity

Optimization enables creativity. The Instagram app is filled with tools like the dropper tool or the gradient background option that allow you to create unique designs that stand out and capture attention.

Storytelling

Effective storytelling is at the heart of engaging Instagram Stories. By personalizing your backgrounds, text, and design elements, you make each Story a page that contributes to a larger narrative.

User Interaction

Features such as polls, Q&A, and quizzes facilitate user interaction. Engaging your audience with these interactive elements can give them a voice and make them feel involved in your content creation.

Competition

With millions of Stories being uploaded daily, standing out is imperative to beat the competition. Customizing your content helps in differentiating your brand and keeping your audience’s attention from shifting to competitors.

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Steps to Follow to Change the Background Color on Instagram Story

Changing the background color on your Instagram story adds a personal touch and makes your content stand out. Instagram offers several user-friendly tools to customize your story's background whether you want to use a photo from your camera roll or opt for a solid or gradient color.

Can I use my own image as the background for an Instagram story?

Yes, you can:

  • Upload a photo from your camera roll by tapping on the Your Story icon.
  • Once the image is loaded, resize it to fit as your intended background.

Is changing the background of an Instagram story easy?

Absolutely, it's a straightforward process:

  • Access the Stories feature on the Instagram app and select the media you wish to use.
  • Tap the pen icon to access drawing tools or the sticker icon to use pre-existing templates for a quick change.

What tools or features can I use to edit my Instagram story's background?

Instagram provides various design tools:

  • Draw: Choose the pen or eraser icon to customize with solid or gradient colors.
  • Stickers and Filters: Apply these to enhance or change the background further.

Remember to save your changes before posting to ensure your story is updated with the new background you've designed.

The Bottom Line

When creating content for your Instagram Story, changing the background color is a straightforward process that can strongly impact your design and branding. It is a tool of creativity that allows you to personalize your story according to your preferences or brand identity.

Here's a quick guide on how to achieve a custom background:

  • Step 1: Open your Instagram and tap on the Your Story icon. Choose the photo or image you wish to upload.
  • Step 2: Tap on the Draw tool.
  • Step 3: Select a pen style and your desired color.
  • Step 4: Press and hold on the screen until the entire background changes color.
  • Step 5: To add stickers, text, or other elements, use the options available at the top of the screen.

Be mindful that an effective Instagram Story isn't just about an eye-catching background color, but how it complements your photo and the overall message of your content. Adding a custom background can alter the mood, highlight specific details, and make image-centric stories more vibrant. Experiment with different hues to see which increases the effectiveness of your content.

Remember, you can also use pre-designed templates or color gradients for more dynamic backgrounds. This gives an extra layer to your storytelling, ensuring your stories stand out in your followers' feed, reflecting your personal style or the personality of your brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, you'll find specific questions and answers on changing background colors in Instagram Stories, guiding you through a variety of scenarios and device types.

What are the steps to alter the solid background color in an Instagram Story on an iPhone?

To change to a solid color background on an iPhone, first upload a photo to your Story, then tap the draw icon. Select the pen tool and choose your desired color. Tap and hold on the screen to fill the background with the selected color.

How can one change the Instagram Story background when using a photo on Android?

For Android users, after adding a photo to your Story, click on the draw icon, choose the pen tool, and select the color you want. Long-press on the photo and the background will change to the chosen color while keeping your photo in the forefront.

What is the method for applying a gradient background to an Instagram Story?

You can apply a gradient background by tapping on the "Create" mode, then selecting the "Draw" tool. Choose from the available gradient options or custom design your own gradient by selecting multiple colors.

Can the background color be changed on an Instagram Story that includes a video without obscuring it?

Yes, you can add a color tint over a video in your Instagram Story by using the draw tool. Select your color and then tap over the video lightly. Adjust the transparency with the slider to ensure the video is still visible.

Is it possible to modify the background hue on Instagram Stories for videos, and if so, how?

To change the background hue for a video in your Instagram Story, use the draw feature. Choose the desired color, then gently tap your finger on the video. You can adjust the color intensity by changing the opacity.

What techniques are available for changing the Instagram Story background color, specifically on YouTube tutorials?

YouTube tutorials typically demonstrate several techniques to change the Instagram Story background color, including using the native pen tool, applying filters, or even importing custom backgrounds from your camera roll.

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