How to Use On This Day IG Feature for Memories and Engagemen
Learn how to use Instagram's On This Day feature to reshare memories, boost engagement, and enhance your personal branding with creative storytelling.
Introduction to the "On This Day" Feature on Instagram
Instagram’s "On This Day" feature—often called on this day IG—is a built-in memory resurfacing tool that highlights posts you’ve shared on the same date in past years. This function taps into nostalgia and allows users to relive personal moments, anniversaries, and milestones, making it a powerful way to boost social engagement and keep your audience invested in your journey.
By leveraging your Instagram Story Archive, you can seamlessly revive old stories and re-share them with a fresh twist. Whether you’re a casual user reminiscing or a brand weaving a long-term narrative, on this day IG offers an authentic storytelling opportunity to strengthen your presence.
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How to Access "On This Day" via Instagram Stories Archive
Accessing on this day IG is straightforward once you know where to look. Here’s the process:
- Open Instagram on your device.
- Tap your profile photo at the bottom right to navigate to your profile.
- Tap the menu (☰) in the upper-right corner.
- Select Archive from the menu.
- Ensure Stories Archive is selected at the top.
- Look for the "On This Day" banner or reminder at the top of the screen.
If there’s a memory from that date in previous years, Instagram will automatically suggest it for you.
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Step-by-Step Guide to Sharing Past Memories
Follow these steps to reshare your "On This Day" highlights:
- Go to Archive: Navigate to the Stories Archive as described above.
- Locate Memory: Tap on the "On This Day" banner to open the suggested Story.
- Select "Share": Tap the share option to post back to your Stories.
- Edit Story: Use stickers, captions, filters, or music to personalize it.
- Publish: Hit "Your Story" to send it live to your followers.
Pro tip: You can combine several old clips into a single Story thread for a better storytelling arc.
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Tips for Making "On This Day" Posts More Engaging
If you want your on this day IG memories to stand out, focus on creativity and interaction:
- Add Relevant Stickers like dates, countdowns, or emojis.
- Include Music that complements the vibe of the memory.
- Use Polls or Quizzes so followers can guess the year or location.
- Overlay Text to add context or a short backstory.
- Tag People from the original post for added engagement.
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Using "On This Day" for Personal Branding and Storytelling
Beyond nostalgia, this feature is excellent for strategic branding:
- Show Growth: Post side-by-side then-and-now to highlight progress.
- Reinforce Your Brand Values with recurring themes like creativity, community, or innovation.
- Celebrate Milestones such as anniversaries, launches, or achievements.
When on this day IG is integrated into your content plan, older posts become brand-strengthening tools.
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Examples of Posts That Work Well for "On This Day"
Certain memory types consistently resonate when reshared:
- Events: Concerts, conferences, meetups.
- Milestones: Birthdays, grand openings, anniversaries.
- Before/After: Transformations in health, art, or spaces.
- Travel Moments: Unique destinations with cultural significance.
- Behind-the-Scenes: Unpolished moments from your process.
| Category | Example | Impact Potential |
|---|---|---|
| Events | Throwback to first public talk | High – shows credibility |
| Milestones | 1-year anniversary of opening shop | High – celebrates growth |
| Before/After | Renovation transformation | Medium – inspiring |
| Travel | Photo from a special trip | Medium – engaging visuals |
| Behind-the-Scenes | Startup garage workspace | High – personal connection |
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Cross-Promoting "On This Day" Across Feed and Reels
Don’t limit your on this day IG memories to Stories, which disappear in 24 hours. Repurpose them:
- Post in Your Feed for evergreen visibility.
- Convert to Reels with trending audio for a wider reach.
- Create Story Highlights to archive related throwbacks.
A cross-platform reuse strategy ensures your content gets maximum exposure.
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Encouraging Audience Interaction Through Memories
Nostalgic posts are perfect for engagement:
- Ask Questions like "Do you remember this?" or "What’s your favorite memory from this event?"
- Run Polls to gauge followers’ opinions on whether to revisit certain ideas or events.
- Start Challenges encouraging users to post their own #OnThisDay photos or videos.
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Privacy Considerations When Resharing Old Posts
Stay mindful when revisiting older content:
- Review Tagged People and confirm they’re okay with the resharing.
- Blur Sensitive Details such as addresses, license plates, or personal identifiers.
- Double-Check Captions to ensure they are still accurate and appropriate.
This not only protects privacy but also safeguards your brand image.
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Tracking Engagement From "On This Day" Posts
Use Instagram Insights to see how your throwbacks perform:
- Story Views show reach.
- Interactions reflect engagement through replies, polls, or sticker taps.
- Shares measure virality.
- Profile Visits indicate follow-up interest.
Record results over time to identify which memory types your audience enjoys most.
| Metric | Tool/Source | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Story Views | Instagram Insights | Measures reach |
| Poll/Quiz Engagement | Story Insights | Indicates interaction rate |
| Shares | Story Insights | Measures virality |
| Profile Visits | Account Insights | Gauges interest in your content |
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Conclusion: Integrating "On This Day" Into Your Posting Strategy
The on this day IG feature is more than a trip down memory lane; it’s a versatile content resource that can boost engagement, tell your brand story, and repurpose evergreen moments.
To maximize results:
- Check your archive regularly
- Customize each resurfaced post
- Share across Stories, Feed, and Reels
- Track and fine-tune based on performance
By making On This Day a regular part of your posting routine, you transform old memories into powerful engagement tools that strengthen your connection with followers. Start exploring your own archive today and see how history can help you grow your Instagram presence.
