Instagram adds Boomerang videos, mentions, and links to Stories in latest update

If you use the Stories feature in Instagram, you have access to a couple of new additions, plus one more if you are a verified user.  The Facebook-owned company revealed today that Boomerang videos, mentions, and links are now a part of the latest update to the Android app.

Boomerang videos are basically GIF-like clips that are created by stitching a series of burst photos together, which can then be played either forward or backward. In the updated Instagram app, which is rolling out starting today, you can make them by tapping on the “Boomerang” mode under the record button and then share them in your Stories. Boomerang started out as a separate application, but now the functionality is offered within the Instagram app.

Mentions in Stories works the same way as they do in captions and comments on Instagram:

When you add text to your story, type “@” followed by a username and select the person you’d like to mention. Their username will appear underlined in your story. And when someone taps the mention, they’ll see a pop-up that takes them to that profile.

You will get a notification in Direct if you get a Mention in someone’s Story, and if an Instagram user that you don’t follow puts in a Mention of you, a message request notification will be sent.

Finally, for the few Instagram users that are verified, the company is testing links inside their Stories to give their friends a faster way to learn more about the subject. That means you could spot a “See More” link at the bottom of a Story, or you can swipe up to view the link inside the app. There’s no work on if this link feature will be released to more Instagram users.