INSTAGRAM LAUNCHES CAMPUS CONNECTIONS FEATURE

Instagram has introduced a new feature aimed at helping college students connect more easily with others on their campus. This update allows students to display their school on their profile and browse a list of other verified students. The move comes shortly after TikTok rolled out a similar campus-based feature, signaling a trend among major social platforms to return to their roots by fostering smaller, more local networks.

With this new option, students in the United States can showcase their college or university as a profile banner. To do so, they must complete a verification process through the student portal UNiDAYS. Once verified, their school name will appear on their profile. Beyond profile updates, students can explore a directory of others who have also verified their student status. They can choose to view all verified students at their university or narrow the list to peers in the same graduation year, making it easier to find classmates.

Instagram says the goal is to create a more streamlined and purposeful way for students to search for and connect with peers. While the platform has often been criticized for being cluttered with features like Reels, Shops, and Stories, this new update offers a practical and focused reason for students to engage more meaningfully with the app.