Instagram On This Day Guide to Relive and Share Memories
Learn how to access, customize, and share Instagram On This Day memories to boost engagement, tell stories, and creatively repurpose past content.
Instagram On This Day: How to Relive and Share Your Best Memories
Instagram has evolved from a simple photo-sharing app into a dynamic hub for storytelling, creativity, and brand engagement. Among its most nostalgic features is Instagram’s “On This Day”, which resurfaces posts, Stories, and sometimes Reels you shared on the same date in previous years. For both individual users and brands, this feature is a simple yet powerful way to reflect, connect, and engage.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover how to find the Instagram On This Day memory module, how to enhance and share your recollections, and how to strategically use it for both personal storytelling and marketing.
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Introduction to Instagram’s “On This Day” Feature
The “On This Day” feature sits within Instagram’s Archive section. It compiles your past content from the same date in previous years, appealing to the universal love of nostalgia. Whether you’re reminiscing about travels, celebrating a friendship anniversary, or revisiting a product launch, it lets you see growth and spark conversation.
Main purposes of “On This Day”:
- Reconnect with personal and emotional moments
- Showcase progress and transformation
- Drive engagement through curated throwbacks
- Inspire ideas for reposts or campaigns
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How to Access “On This Day” in Instagram’s Archive Section
Many users miss this feature because it’s tucked away in the Archive settings. Here’s how to find it.
Step-by-Step Access Guide
- Open the Instagram app and navigate to your profile.
- Tap the menu (☰) in the top-right corner.
- Select Archive.
- Use the drop-down at the top to choose Stories Archive.
- If available, the On This Day module will appear prominently near the top.
💡 Tip: If nothing appears, you may not have shared content on that exact date in earlier years.
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Types of Past Content That Can Appear
Instagram may surface different content formats in the On This Day module:
- Stories Memories: Auto-archived Stories from one year or more ago.
- Posts Memories: Feed photos or videos tied to meaningful past events.
- Reels Memories: Short videos linked to trends or moments from a matching date.
| Content Type | Archiving Method | Shareability |
|---|---|---|
| Stories | Auto-archived if Stories Archive is enabled | Can be reshared directly to Stories |
| Posts | Visible if reappearing in Memories module | Can be reposted manually |
| Reels | May appear if date matches past upload | Reshare via download or repost tools |
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Customizing and Sharing From the “On This Day” Module
When you tap a memory, you can:
- Instantly reshare to your Stories
- Add stickers, filters, GIFs, polls, or text before sharing
- Download it for editing or repurposing later
This ensures that your repost feels fresh, even though the content is from the past.
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Tips to Refresh Old Content Before Resharing
You can make old Instagram On This Day content pop with a few creative tweaks:
- Apply Updated Filters: Give it a fresh aesthetic.
- Write a Reflective Caption: Add personal insight or an update to the original story.
- Use Relevant Hashtags: Boost discoverability with tags like #OnThisDay or #ThrowbackThursday.
- Add Visual Context: Include date overlays or “Then & Now” text.
- Combine Memories: Make collages or slides to tell a longer visual story.
Example workflow:
1. Open the memory in Stories Archive
2. Tap 'Share'
3. Add a “1 Year Ago Today” sticker
4. Write a short reflection
5. Post as a Story with a relevant hashtag---
Using “On This Day” for Personal Stories and Brand Marketing
For Personal Storytelling
- Highlight milestones like graduations, travels, or family moments
- Share uplifting, funny, or inspiring memories
- Start conversations by inviting followers to share their own similar moments
For Brands and Influencers
- Revisit and update audiences on product launches
- Celebrate anniversaries or highlight community events
- Share past testimonials or reviews
- Repackage high-performing campaigns to re-engage followers
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Privacy Controls for “On This Day”
By default, memories are visible only to you. You decide what to share.
- Enable/Disable Story Archive: Go to Profile → Menu → Settings → Privacy → Story → Save Story to Archive.
- Remove Unwanted Memories: Delete or re-archive posts you don’t want resurfacing.
- Manage Tagged Content: Untag yourself from posts you don’t want appearing.
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Creative Strategies Leveraged by Professionals
Influencers and brands can maximize “On This Day” in inventive ways:
- Flashback Series: Weekly nostalgia posts that align with your brand voice.
- Time-Limited Promotions: Celebrate anniversaries with special discounts.
- Event Build-Up: Reshare past event highlights with teasers for the upcoming one.
- Behind-the-Scenes Evolution: Compare early product prototypes to the latest versions.
Example:
> A boutique bakery reshares last year’s holiday cake designs alongside this year’s preview to entice pre-orders.
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Troubleshooting: When “On This Day” Isn’t Appearing
Possible reasons:
- No posts from that date in your archive
- Instagram is slowly rolling out the feature in your area
- Story Archive disabled
- Outdated app version
Fixes:
- Enable Story Archive in Settings.
- Update to the latest app version.
- Wait for a matching calendar date.
- Contact Instagram Support if issues persist.
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Summary and Next Steps
The Instagram On This Day feature is a blend of nostalgia and opportunity. It helps you reconnect with valued moments and, if used strategically, can serve as a low-effort, high-impact engagement tool.
Next time a memory appears, don’t skip it—refresh it, add meaning, and share it to deepen your audience relationship.
Ready to make your memories work harder? Open your Stories Archive today and see what’s waiting to be rediscovered and reshared.
