The term refers to real-time updates and information displayed on a user’s device outside the Instagram application itself, typically on the lock screen or dynamic island (on supporting devices). These updates provide at-a-glance information about ongoing activities within the app, such as the progress of a direct message delivery or a collaborative content creation session.
The function aims to enhance user experience by minimizing the need to constantly open the application for status updates. This can be particularly useful during time-sensitive interactions or when multi-tasking. Its introduction marks an effort to integrate the platform’s features more seamlessly into the user’s broader mobile ecosystem, reducing reliance on constant app engagement.