Instagram Adds Dynamic Profile Icons To Flip Between Animated Avatars & Photos
Last year, Meta brought customizable avatars to Instagram for users to use as stickers or profile pictures. When the feature arrived, most had to decide whether to use a real-life photograph of themselves or their avatar. The social media platform is now asking why choose one when you can have both?
The new update, announced via a tweet, allows users to quickly flip between an image of themselves and their avatar through a dynamic profile icon which will switch automatically whenever someone visits their page.
New profile pic, who this?
— Instagram (@instagram) January 24, 2023
Now you can add your avatar to the other side of your pic — and people who visit your profile can flip between the two 🪙 pic.twitter.com/hEyzW4G19W
If you want a dynamic icon, you can press the ‘Edit Profile’ button.
Moreover, Instagram notes that this is the first time the platform is introducing avatar animation as the cartoon version of yourself can wave at those viewing your profile.
The move could be a bid from Meta to have people familiarize themselves with portraying a digital version of their person online. As Meta moves forward, engaging through digital identity will be a big part of its vision. Facebook and WhatsApp both have their versions of avatars as well.
[via Social Media Today and TechnCrunch, cover image via Instagram]
