To use the Reveal sticker on Instagram, create your story, tap Stickers, tap Reveal, add your hint or message, then tap Done in the top right and share. Followers see a blurry image with your hint, and the image is revealed to each person once they respond to your story.
The Reveal sticker turns a story into a small game. Your image goes blurry, you add a clue, and anyone who wants to see it has to respond first. It's a neat way to get replies instead of silent views, as long as the picture is worth the effort of responding.
Is a reveal right for this story?
| Your story is... | Try the Reveal sticker? |
|---|---|
| A sneak peek at something new | Yes. The blur and a hint build a bit of curiosity. |
| A guessing game for your followers | Yes. The hint does the teasing, the reply gets the answer. |
| Information everyone needs to see | No. Only people who respond will see the image. |
| Something you want as many eyes on as possible | Probably not, for the same reason. |
Setting up the sticker
- Open the Instagram app and create your story.
- Tap Stickers.
- Tap Reveal.
- Add your hint or message.
- Tap Done in the top right.
- If you'd like, tap Preview to see how your story will look to others.
- Finish editing your story and share it.
The steps are the same on iPhone and Android, so you won't need to hunt for a different menu.
How the reveal works for the people watching
Your followers see a blurry image with your hint on it. The image only becomes clear for a person once they respond to your story. That's the trade: they reply, they get to see. Anyone who just taps past won't see what's underneath.
That's why the hint matters more than you'd think. It's the only thing a viewer has to go on, so make it specific enough to be intriguing and short enough to read at a glance. Tapping Preview before you share is the easiest way to check it reads well.
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Writing a hint people want to answer
- Ask a question, so the reply has an obvious shape.
- Tease the subject without giving it away, such as a colour, a place or a first letter.
- Keep it to one line. Stories move fast.
- Use a picture that's worth the reveal, or people won't bother next time.
Check the right image size for Instagram stories before you start, so the picture underneath looks sharp once it's revealed.
My verdict on the Reveal sticker
Use it for teasers, launches and playful guessing games, where getting people to reply is the goal. Skip it for anything everyone needs to see, because the blur stays on for anyone who doesn't respond. And if a reveal story does well, consider saving it, as the guide to using story highlights to show off your services explains.
Related guides live in the Instagram Help: 81 Guides to Followers, Hashtags, Money, Accounts and Fixes.
