Instagram has introduced new features for its Direct Messages (DMs) and Stories to boost user engagement. Users can now edit photos with drawings and stickers in DMs, similar to Instagram Stories, and create custom stickers from photos. Additionally, Instagram has launched public commenting on Stories, allowing mutual followers to leave comments visible to others, although users can disable this feature per Story. The new commenting system, aimed at fostering more community interaction, includes restrictions to prevent trolling by limiting comments to mutual followers. These updates reflect Instagram's strategy to enhance user interaction on Stories and DMs, which are increasingly popular among users.