The ever-evolving world of Instagram offers a variety of features that many users may not know about. One such feature in Direct Messages (DMs) is the orange flag—a tool that’s especially helpful for business accounts to organize and track important communications. This feature can make a big difference in organizing chats, whether for client interactions or individual users wanting to better manage their important messages.
This guide will explore the orange flag’s purpose and functionality and provide step-by-step instructions on using it effectively. With the orange flag, you can easily filter key conversations on your account—no more endless scrolling to find that one chat.
What Does the Orange Flag Mean on Instagram DM
The orange flag feature in Instagram DMs is designed to help users manage messages more effectively. Seeing the orange flag or triangle icon next to a chat means that the message has been marked as important. This feature allows users to flag specific chats to track and follow up on later, making it easier to find these conversations in the DM inbox without scrolling through numerous messages.
For businesses and users who rely on Instagram for customer service or client communication, this feature is especially useful. By flagging important chats, they can ensure they don’t miss responding to crucial messages, thus improving response rates and customer satisfaction. The orange triangles in the top right corner also indicate unread messages from accounts you may not follow.
Note: Flagging a message is different from flagging a post. When you flag a post on Instagram, you’re reporting it. In contrast, flagging a DM only highlights it for easy access and improved communication management.
How to Flag a Message on DM
Unfortunately, the Flag feature is not available for Personal accounts. It is only accessible on Professional accounts. Make sure you’re using a Professional (Business or Creator) Account.
Follow these steps to Flag a Conversation:
Method 1:
- Open your Instagram app and ensure it’s up to date.
- Swipe left on the screen or tap the Messenger icon in the top right corner.
- Long-press on the conversation you want to Flag.
- Select “Flag” from the drop-down menu.
Method 2:
- Open your Instagram DMs.
- Find and open the chat you want to Flag.
- Look for the small Flag icon in the top right corner and tap on it.
That’s it! Now your conversation will show a small orange triangle in the top right of the messages.
How to Unflag a Message on DM
If you’ve already added the Flag and now want to remove it, don’t worry! Here’s how you can Unflag it:
Method 1:
- Open your Instagram app on your device.
- Go to your DMs by swiping left or tapping the Messenger icon in the top right corner.
- Find the conversation you want to unflag.
- Long-press on the chat and select “Unflag” from the drop-down menu.
Method 2:
- Open Instagram DMs.
- Tap on the conversation.
- Tap on the Flag icon in the top right corner.
And that’s it! The orange flag will be removed from the conversation.
Can You Filter Only Flagged Conversations?
Yes, you can! The Flag feature helps organize messages, allowing users to easily track and follow up later. To manage this, you can apply a filter. Here’s how to filter them:
- Navigate to your Instagram DMs.
- Find the “Filter” option next to the Search Box in the top right corner and tap on it.
- Select “Flagged” from the drop-down menu.
This feature makes it easy for users to organize their DMs, similar to the Unread Message Tag.
Differences Between DM Flagging and Post Flagging
Flagging a DM (direct message) serves as a personal reminder within your inbox, helping you organize and prioritize conversations. When you flag a message, it’s marked as important, making it easier to locate later—particularly in busy chats where information can get buried. This feature is purely organizational, doesn’t notify the other person, and isn’t connected to Instagram’s moderation processes.
Flagging an Instagram post, on the other hand, is a reporting feature that notifies Instagram’s team if content is inappropriate or violates community guidelines. Posts flagged for hate speech, violence, nudity, or harassment are reviewed and may be removed if they breach policies. This moderation feature alerts Instagram to potentially harmful content, helping maintain a safe and compliant community environment.
Conclusion
The orange flag on Instagram is a practical tool that helps you stay organized and manage important messages in your DMs. Whether you’re a business owner, an influencer, or an individual, this feature lets you filter and quickly respond to priority conversations. It’s especially useful for streamlining interactions, making handling numerous posts or DMs easy without getting lost.
Beyond organizing messages, the orange flag can also be used to report inappropriate content, contributing to a safer Instagram community. This dual purpose—prioritizing important chats and maintaining a respectful space—supports a structured and enjoyable social media experience, no matter how you use the platform.
