Instagram wants you to reply to friends’ photos with their own photos

Instagram is about to give its 700-million users another way to annoy one another through visual replies.

According to a blog post, the Facebook-owned social network is tweaking its direct messaging system, allowing users to now “reply with a photo or video to specific photos, videos, and reshared posts”.

Previously, direct messaging on Instagram was a simple text-and-GIF based affair.

The company has allowed users to reply to Instagram Stories using visual media since July 2017, but Instagram hopes the update to direct messaging will encourage more “visual communication” between friends.

But here’s the kicker.

Instagram: you can now reply with a photo or video to specific photos, videos, and reshared posts

Instagram adds that replies will “automatically” include the image you’re replying to in the form of a sticker. “Just hit “reply” to open the camera, take a selfie, and send,” it adds, suggesting that you can then paste said sticker anywhere you want on your particular selfie.

The company also unveiled a “split-screen” feature, which allows the sticker to overlay half of the reply screen.

“Add your own perspective by drawing on the sticker, whether you’re painting a mustache on your friend’s selfie or doodling on a beach photo,” it explains.

You can also turn yourself into an anthropomorphous, hipster dog, official explainer images suggest.

The company notes that these features will be available in the latest update, version 10.34 for iOS and Android devices.