Can You Reply To An Instagram Story With A Video?

Remember when reaction videos were a really big thing on YouTube? People would film themselves watching Twilight trailers and the Internet would freak out, watching other people freak out, in a super meta web worm hole? Well now you can send a video reply to an Instagram story, which is basically the same thing, but better.

Better, because you can make your reaction video as funny and silly as you please, resting assured that once your recipient views the video, it will disappear forever and no one will ever be able to see it again. That's freedom, folks.

And the same, because you can literally now reply to anything in your story feed with a video — because sometimes there are just no words. Sometimes your best response is something you act out, rather than say. So when words fail you, respond to a story with an authentic reaction video — or Boomerang, or photo.

This new feature, which rolled out Jul. 6 on Instagram, gives users an opportunity to be more creative with their interactions. You can dress up your videos and pictures with as many emojis and doodles and tags as you want. And knowing that your replies will disappear after one viewing, really gives you some peace of mind. You don't have to over-think your replies, you can be as candid and authentic as you please. Here's how to use the update:

Check For Updates

First and foremost, you'll need to head to the app store to check for updates. This new feature will only appear on the latest Instagram update. So check the store, restart, reboot or reload until you're on the newest version.

Enjoy Your Stories

Watch your friends' stories as you usually would, and watch your friend's content. When you find a video that you're compelled to respond to, hit the camera butter, it won't take you away from the other stories, and once you're done shooting your reply video, you'll pick up exactly where you left off.

Record A Video

Hit that camera button, hold it down and record your video. Or, slide over to Boomerang or normal photo, as those are reply options now too. Decorate it as much or as little as you please. You can add tags, pin emojis, write text, change the filter, or draw whatever you want over the footage, just like you would with your own story.

Send Away

Now it's time to hit the send button. Once the recipient opens the file, which will load in their direct message inbox highlighted in blue, the footage will disappear forever into the black hole vortex of stories past.