Instagram is testing a new app called Instants. And the idea? To bring back reality. Yes, reality. In 2026. Bold move.
Instants lets you take a photo with one tap, no filters, no edits, no "wait a sec, let me fix the lighting." The photo is seen only once and disappears within 24 hours. So basically, it's like sending a "live" photo, with no digital makeup. A concept that looks like a revolution, but also like déjà vu from BeReal and Snapchat.
Why does it matter? Because Instagram is trying to go back to its roots, fewer influencers, less "perfect life," more "I'm at home in pajamas and this is my life." The problem? We've spent years training ourselves not to be real online.
And let's be honest: are we ready for this? Because it's very different to post a perfect photo, and very different to post a photo where you're eating bread with avocado at 1 in the morning.
On the other hand, a lot of people already use Stories, which are practically the same thing. So the question is: do we need another app to do something we already do, or are we just adding one more icon to our phone to feel guilty about not opening it?
And like every new trend, there's a classic risk: huge boom for a month, and then disappear like the diets that start on Monday.
So will Instants be the comeback of authenticity, or just another app we'll open 3 times and forget?