How to Add a Question on Instagram

Asking a question on Instagram is one of the quickest ways to spark a real conversation with your audience. More than just a bit of fun, the question sticker can be a powerful tool for market research, content creation, and building a loyal community. This guide will show you how to add a question sticker to your Stories and Reels, and we'll cover smart strategies to get more - and better - responses from your followers.

How to Add a Question Sticker to an Instagram Story

The most common and effective place to use the question sticker is in your Instagram Stories. The temporary, 24-hour nature of Stories encourages immediate interaction. This guide will show you exactly how to add a question sticker to your Stories and Reels, along with strategies to get better responses from your followers.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Question Sticker in a Story

1. Open the Story Creator: Launch the Instagram app and swipe right from your main feed, or tap the plus icon (+) at the top of your screen and select "Story."
2. Capture or Select Your Content: You can take a new photo or video on the spot or swipe up to access your phone's gallery and select content you've already created. A simple, branded background can work just as well as a busy photograph.
3. Find the Sticker Menu: Once your background image or video is in place, tap the sticker icon at the top of the editing screen. It looks like a square smiley face.
4. Select the "QUESTIONS" Sticker: In the sticker tray, you'll see a variety of options. Find and tap the one that says "QUESTIONS."
5. Write Your Prompt: The sticker will appear on your screen with a default prompt like "Ask me a question." You can tap on this text to edit it. This is your chance to get creative. Try something specific to your niche, like "What do you want to know about our design process?" or "What's holding you back from starting a fitness routine?"
6. Customize the Color: Want the sticker to match your brand's aesthetic? Tap the color wheel at the top of the screen to cycle through different background colors for the sticker box.
7. Position and Resize the Sticker: You can use two fingers to pinch and zoom, making the sticker larger or smaller. Drag and drop it to position it on your screen. Avoid placing it too close to the edges to ensure visibility on different phone screens.
8. Share Your Story: Once you're happy with the placement and design, tap "Your Story" in the bottom-left corner to post it for your followers to see. That's it!

How to Find and Respond to Your Answers

Posting the question is only half the battle. The real magic happens when you start receiving answers and sharing them. Engaging with responses shows your audience you're listening and encourages more participation next time.

Where to see who has responded

To see the answers, simply view your own Story while it's live and swipe up on the screen. Below the list of viewers, you'll see a separate section labeled "Responses," where every answer to your sticker will appear.

Sharing Your Favorite Responses

When you swipe up and view your responses, you can turn any of them into a new Story. Here's how:

1. Navigate to the "Responses" section on your Story.
2. Tap on the specific response you want to feature.
3. Select the "Share Response" button.

This action automatically creates a new Story draft. The background will be a gradient by default (which you can change), and the original question sticker, along with the user's answer, will be displayed prominently.

You can add your own text, a video of yourself answering, a fitting GIF, or anything else you'd like before posting it to your Story.

Using the Question Sticker in Instagram Reels

While Stories are the primary home for question stickers, you can also embed them directly into your Instagram Reels. This is a great way to drive engagement on your video content and invite conversation within the Reels feed.

The process is almost identical to adding a sticker to a Story:

• Record or upload your video clip(s) in the Reels editor.
• Once you get to the final editing screen (after filming and trimming), tap the sticker icon at the top.
• Select the "QUESTIONS" sticker and type your prompt.
• Position it on your Reel. Remember that Reels are often viewed without sound first, so adding interactive elements can help grab attention.

Unlike Stories, responses to a question sticker on a Reel don't appear in a neat "swipe up" menu. Instead, you'll receive them in your general notifications or direct messages. To reply, you'll typically have to create a follow-up Reel or a set of Stories answering the best questions you received.

Smart Strategies for Using the Instagram Question Sticker

Now that you know the mechanics, let's talk strategy. A well-placed question sticker can do so much more than just fill a content gap. It can be a powerful tool for marketing, research, and building community.

1. Host a Niche "Ask Me Anything" (AMA)

The classic AMA is always a winner, especially if you're an expert, coach, or personal brand. But you can make it even better by getting specific. Instead of the broad "Ask me anything," narrow the focus. For example:

• "I built my business to 6 figures in 2 years. Ask me anything about scaling."
• "I just got back from three weeks in Italy. Ask me about my itinerary!"
• "Finalizing a new website design. Ask me anything about our branding process."

A focused topic generates deeper, more thoughtful questions and positions you as an authority on that subject.

2. Gather Genuine Feedback and Market Research

Why pay for focus groups when you have a direct line to your best customers? Use the question sticker to validate ideas, poll your audience, and understand their pain points. This is invaluable data that can inform your content strategy, product development, and marketing messaging.

• "What's the one feature you wish our app had?"
• "We're launching new T-shirt designs. What colors do you want to see?"
• "What topic should our next YouTube video be about?"

The replies you receive are a goldmine of insights into what your audience actually wants from you.

3. Bust Industry Myths

Every industry has common misconceptions. Addressing them head-on is a great way to provide value and build trust. Frame your question to invite people to share the myths they've heard, then use your reply Stories to set the record straight.

• "Tell me the biggest gym myth you've heard."
• "What do you think is the hardest part about getting a new client?"
• "What's one thing that confuses you about filing your taxes as a freelancer?"

4. Make Your Audience Part of the Process

People love feeling like they're on the inside. Use the question sticker to bring your audience behind the curtain and let them contribute to what you're building. This creates a sense of co-ownership and makes them more invested in your brand.

• "Naming our new product this week! Drop your best ideas here."
• "I'm interviewing an expert on my podcast next week. What should I ask them?"
• "Stuck for a blog post idea. What do you need help with right now?"

5. Keep It Casual and Build Relationships

Not every question needs to be a deep-dive into your business strategy. Sometimes, the goal is simply to start a fun, lighthearted conversation. These low-stakes questions are easy to answer and help humanize your brand, making you more relatable.

• "What's the best thing you've watched on streaming lately?"
• "What's your go-to coffee order?"
• "Share the last photo you took with your phone."

Proven Tips for Getting More Responses

Ever posted a question sticker and been met with silence? It happens. Here are a few tips to increase your response rate.

• Give Your Audience Some Context: Don't just drop a question sticker out of nowhere. Warm them up first. For example, post one or two Stories about a trip you just took, then post the sticker that says, "Ask me about my trip!" The context makes the question more relevant.
• Keep Your Prompt Clear and Simple: Overly complex or vague questions can deter people. "What is your deepest professional aspiration?" is much harder to answer than "What's your biggest goal for this quarter?" Make it easy for people to reply quickly.
• Promote It in Advance: If you're planning a bigger Q&A session, let people know ahead of time. Announce it on your feed or in your Stories a day before, saying something like, "Doing an AMA on Instagram algorithms tomorrow! Start thinking of your questions now."
• Think About Design and Placement: Make sure your sticker is visually prominent and easy to read. Place it in the center of the screen, not tucked away in a corner where it might get missed or accidentally swiped past.
• Engage with Early Responders: As soon as a few answers come in, start sharing them. When followers see you actively posting replies, it creates social proof and encourages others to jump in before they miss their chance.

Final Thoughts

The Instagram question sticker is a simple feature, but when used strategically, it can become a core part of your engagement and content creation. It's an open invitation for your followers to connect with you directly, providing you with fantastic insights, user-generated content ideas, and the opportunity to strengthen your community one answer at a time.

Planning interactive content is much easier when you can visualize your entire social media schedule. We built Postbase to solve this problem. Our beautiful visual calendar helps you see everything at a glance, so you can perfectly time your AMA after a big announcement or place a feedback request before a new launch. This way, your content strategy feels cohesive, not chaotic.