How to Find Story Templates on Instagram

Introduction to Instagram Story Templates and Their Benefits

Instagram Stories have become a central part of online communication, combining quick updates with captivating visuals. Instagram Story templates are pre-made layouts or designs you can use to quickly make polished, consistent, and attention-grabbing Stories without investing excessive time in design.

Whether you're an influencer aiming for a brand-consistent feed or a small business promoting limited-time offers, Story templates can streamline your creative process. They help you stay on-brand, keep a coherent style, and instantly attract viewers with appealing designs.

Key benefits of using Instagram Story templates include:

• Time-saving — no need to start from scratch each time you post.
• Professional look — elevate your Stories’ visual appeal with minimal effort.
• Consistency — maintain a consistent theme and color palette for better brand recognition.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to search Story templates on Instagram, including both the in-app options and the best third-party sources.

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Understanding Instagram’s Built-In Templates vs. Third-Party Designs

Before diving into search steps, it’s helpful to know the two main categories of templates you can use.

Built-In Instagram Templates

• Found directly within the Instagram app.
• Often tied to Story or Reels formats like interactive stickers or Q&A layouts.
• Easy to access and customize without leaving Instagram.

Third-Party Templates

• Available on design apps such as Canva, Unfold, Over (GoDaddy Studio), and others.
• Offer more creative freedom with unique fonts, graphics, and layouts.
• Require downloading and uploading designs to Instagram after customization.

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Step 1: Open Instagram App and Navigate to Stories

To begin searching for Story templates:

1. Open the Instagram app on iOS or Android.
2. Swipe right from your home feed or tap your profile picture in the top-left corner.
3. You’ll land on the Stories creation screen, ready to start your search or creation.

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Step 2: Use the “Browse Templates” Section

Inside the creation interface:

• Swipe to the Create tab.
• Scroll until you see Browse Templates.
• Tap to enter a dedicated section featuring Instagram’s available Story templates.

You’ll find formats for events, shout-outs, countdowns, quizzes, and more, all of which you can personalize with your own visuals and text.

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Step 3: Search by Keyword in Instagram

While on the Browse Templates screen or via Instagram’s main search:

• Enter keywords such as “Story Template,” “Question,” “This or That,” or niche-specific terms like “Travel Story Template.”
• Instagram will suggest relevant options from both the template library and creator-generated examples.

Pro tip: Combine your main keyword with your niche (`"Fitness Story Template"`) for targeted results.

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Step 4: Discover Templates From Creators You Follow

Many accounts regularly share reusable templates in their Stories:

• Watch for “Use Template” buttons when browsing Stories.
• Tap the button, and Instagram will open the editable version ready for you to modify.

Following creative accounts can help you access unique and original templates.

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Step 5: Access Templates via Links in Stories

Sometimes templates are shared as clickable links:

• Look for “Use This Template” or “Try It” prompts at the bottom of a Story.
• Tap to open the template directly in your own Story editor.

This is a quick method to grab designs right from your feed.

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Step 6: Use Explore Page Hashtags to Find Templates

Another effective method is leveraging hashtags:

Popular hashtags for Instagram Story templates include:

• #StoryTemplate
• #InstaStoryTemplate
• #InstagramTemplate
• #StoryChallenge

How to search hashtags:

1. Tap the search icon.
2. Switch to the “Tags” tab.
3. Type your keyword and browse creators’ shared templates.

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Step 7: Save Templates for Future Use

When you find a template worth reusing:

• Tap the bookmark icon to add it to Saved.
• Access saved templates via your profile menu under “Saved.”

Building a library of designs can save time for future campaigns.

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Step 8: Explore Third-Party Apps and Websites

For more distinctive designs, try external tools:

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Step 9: Customizing Templates for Your Brand

Once you have a template, personalize it to enhance brand recognition.

Ideas for customization:

• Adjust colors for brand alignment.
• Use stickers and GIFs for interactivity.
• Apply custom fonts consistently.
• Overlay your photos or videos.
• Keep text brief and engaging for mobile readability.

Example Canva workflow:

1. Choose Template
2. Replace Images & Text
3. Export in JPG/PNG
4. Upload to Instagram Story

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Best Practices for Successful Template Searches

When learning how to search Story templates on Instagram, keep these in mind:

• Experiment with keywords and hashtags.
• Follow template creators to get fresh, high-quality designs.
• Stay seasonal by using templates for holidays or events.
• Edit extensively to avoid generic, overused looks.
• Respect IP rights by using templates intended for public use.

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Summary and Next Steps

Instagram Story templates are a powerful way to enhance your visual storytelling while saving time and ensuring style consistency. By using Instagram’s native Browse Templates, searching relevant hashtags, following creative accounts, and leveraging third-party apps, you can consistently find fresh and relevant designs.

Now that you understand exactly how to search Story templates on Instagram, start exploring and saving your favorites. Customize them to fit your unique brand voice, and watch your Stories engage more viewers. Ready to give your Stories a makeover? Open the app today and put these strategies into action.