Instagram Tests Author Prompt for Posts & Reels

Instagram is experimenting with a new Prompt feature to boost engagement on Feed Posts and Reels. When composing captions, some users can choose a Prompt option that lets them insert a user-defined instruction, which then appears at the top of the comments and is labeled 'Author Prompt.' Like existing polls, the prompt cannot be edited after publication. The feature expands interactive options beyond polls by encouraging open questions and calls to action to drive engagement with viewers. Instagram expert Martijn Cales and other users shared screenshots of the feature on Threads, indicating it is in a testing phase. Screenshots show the number of replies to the Author Prompt, helping creators and brands monitor engagement. It is not yet clear when this will roll out to all users, but initial impressions are promising.