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Instagram’s Newest Features and How Nail Techs Can Best Use Them
Instagram is constantly dropping new features, and if you’re running a nail business, keeping up can feel like chasing chrome powder in a fan. ✨ But here’s the truth: the nail techs who adapt early are the ones who get noticed, get booked, and keep their chairs full.
We’ve rounded up Instagram’s latest updates, along with the best ways to use them for your nail biz.
Reposts
What it is: You can now repost public Reels or posts, and they’ll live on a dedicated “Reposts” tab on your profile. These Reposts can show to your followers in their regular feed without ever living on your story.
How nail techs can best use this feature:
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Share client selfies showing off your work (with permission) → instant social proof.
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Repost trending nail inspo with your own caption: “Here’s how I’d recreate this set.”
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Team up with local businesses—think hair stylists or boutiques—and cross-promote by reposting each other’s content.
Instagram Map & Location Sharing
What it is: Posts tagged with a location appear on the Instagram Map, and you can also choose to share your last active location with friends.
How nail techs can best use this feature:
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Always tag your salon or city—potential clients searching nearby will discover your work.
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Use the map to see what’s trending locally or find collab opportunities.
Privacy tip:
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To check if your “Location Sharing” is on, head to Settings → Privacy → Location. Toggle it off if you’d prefer to keep your whereabouts private.
Friends Tab in Reels
What it is: A feed showing what your friends have liked, created, or reposted.
How nail techs can best use this feature:
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Keep tabs on which nail designs clients are engaging with, then create your own version.
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Spot trending audios in your circle and use them before they blow up.
Instagram Edits App
What it is: A brand-new standalone editing app packed with tools like AI cutouts, green screen, keyframe edits, and safe zones.
How nail techs can best use this feature:
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Film a smooth time-lapse from bare nails to the final design.
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Add text and overlays that match your brand colors without worrying about text getting cropped.
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Use transitions or animations that make your content pop without looking overdone.
✦ Pro tip: Stick to one or two fonts and a consistent color palette. It makes your feed look polished and recognizable. ✦
Reels Linking & Episodic Series
What it is: You can link Reels together into a series so viewers binge your content.
How nail techs can best use this feature:
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Walk viewers through a full service: prep → polish → art → finished look.
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Create mini-series like “Holiday Nail Inspo Week” or “Top 5 French Twist Variations.”
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End each Reel with: “Watch next to see the final reveal!”
New Insights & Metrics
What it is: More detailed analytics, including retention rates, skip rates, and which carousel slides get the most likes.
How nail techs can best use this feature:
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Retention shows if people drop off early—tighten your intros if they do.
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Skip rate tells you which content isn’t resonating (maybe less of that design).
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Carousel taps help you see which looks clients love most.
✦ Pro tip: Use the “swipe between Reels” feature in Insights to compare quickly. Then, double down on what’s performing. ✦
DM Features & Pinned Messages
What it is: Schedule DMs, pin chats, and even auto-translate messages.
How nail techs can best use this feature:
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Pin your booking info so clients don’t have to dig for it.
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Translate messages if you serve a bilingual community.
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Schedule promos (“Don’t forget: holiday appointments are filling fast!”).
Comment Pinning
What it is: You can pin your own or client comments to your posts.
How nail techs can best use this feature:
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Pin FAQs like “Yes, I offer builder gel!” or “Swipe for pricing.”
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Highlight client reviews to build trust right in your feed.
"Picks" / Interest Tags (Testing)
What it is: Lets you display your interests, making it easier for like-minded people to find you. Keep in mind that this feature is in testing, so limited accounts can see this feature!
How nail techs can best use this feature:
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Add tags like “Nail Art,” “Self-Care,” or “Beauty Trends.”
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Great for attracting potential clients who share your passions.
What to Watch Out For
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Rollout delays: Not every feature hits every account right away. Be patient—it’s coming.
- Some of these features are in testing. Some of these features may not show on your account (and that's okay).
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Overediting danger: Don’t lose your authenticity in the polish. A little raw personality goes a long way.
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Text safety: Use safe zones so your text and stickers aren’t cut off in the feed.
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Permission matters: Let this serve as your regular reminder to ask before reposting client photos or videos.
✦ Burnout risk: Don’t just chase the algorithm. If a feature feels forced, skip it. Your brand should feel like you—not like a trend robot. ✦
You don’t need to master every feature at once. Pick one or two that make sense for your business—like Reels Linking for storytelling or Reposts for social proof—and build from there. Consistency + authenticity = the ultimate Instagram growth strategy. Try out one of these new features this week, and you might just see your chair fill faster than a new set of glitter gels on launch day.
This post, part of our Profit + Polish series, helps you grow your business! More tips coming soon!
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Subtitle
Looking for a beach getaway this summer, but not sure where to go? We’ve got you covered with the best locales for families, surfing, or just lazing by the water.
When the temperatures heat up, sometimes the only respite is by the water, and North America is full of coastal gems for every kind of beachgoer. Whether you’re looking to ride the waves or simply dip your toes, we have seven must-visit destinations that promise to deliver all the sun, sand, and sea you crave. So, grab your sunscreen, toss a towel in your tote, and get ready to dive into summer.
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