Symbols in Instagram: Symbols & Icons Mean on Instagram

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Here’s a complete, organized guide to icon symbols in Instagram with their exact appearances and meanings.

1. Home Screen Icons

Top Bar:

  • Two overlapping squares: Switch between “Following” (posts from people you follow) and “Favorites” (selected accounts)
  • Heart outline: Notifications (red dot = new activity)
  • Lightning bolt inside chat bubble: Direct Messages (red number = unread messages)

Bottom Bar:

  • House outline: Home feed
  • Magnifying glass: Search/Explore page
  • Plus sign inside square: Create new content (post/story/reel)
  • Play button inside rectangle: Reels video feed
  • Person silhouette: Your profile

2. Post Interaction Icons

Top of Post:

  • Blue checkmark: Verified account
  • Three dots: Post options menu (save, report, etc.)
  • Person silhouette with +: You’re tagged in this post
  • Speaker with slash: Muted audio

Below Post:

  • Heart outline: Like (turns red when active)
  • Speech bubble: Comments
  • Paper plane: Share post
  • Bookmark: Save post

3. Story Icons

Viewing Stories:

  • Three dots: Story options
  • “Send Message” text: Reply to story
  • Arrow pointing right: Share story
  • Eye icon: View count

Creating Stories:

  • Two arrows: Move tools left/right
  • Lightning bolt: Flashlight toggle
  • Gear icon: Camera settings
  • Square with mountains: Add media
  • Circular arrows: Switch camera

4. Direct Messages

Chat List:

  • Red dot: Unread messages
  • Colorful circle: Meta AI chat
  • Star with smiley: AI chats
  • Pencil: New message
  • Bell with slash: Muted chat
  • Pin: Pinned chat

Inside Chat:

  • Phone: Voice call
  • Video camera: Video call
  • Bookmark: Save to collection
  • Plus in circle: Add location/AI tools
  • Microphone: Voice message
  • Sticker smiley: GIFs/avatars

5. Profile Page

Your Profile:

  • Grid of squares: Your posts
  • Play button: Your reels
  • Person with +: Tagged photos
  • Three lines: Settings menu

Others’ Profiles:

  • Bell: Notification settings
  • Three dots: Profile options
  • Person with +: Suggested accounts
  • Stacked bubbles: Broadcast channel

6. Reels

  • Heart outline: Like (turns red)
  • Speech bubble: Comments
  • Paper plane: Share
  • Music note: Audio details
  • Three dots: More options

7. Live Video

  • Number: Viewer count
  • + in camera: Request to join
  • ? in bubble: Q&A
  • Heart: Send likes

8. Creation Tools

Post Creation:

  • Square with mountains: Select photos
  • Person with +: Tag people
  • Location pin: Add place
  • Gear: Post settings

Story Editing:

  • Aa: Add text
  • Smiley face: Stickers
  • Music note: Add song
  • Stars: Effects
  • Color palette: Text colors

This covers all icons across Instagram’s interface with their exact visual representations and functions.

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