For the longest time, Instagram users have wanted the platform to have a feature using which they could search for specific messages in their chats. This feature, which enables us to search for any older message using keywords or phrases, is available on many other social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. Instagram is one of the biggest social networks in the world right now, with about 1.318 billion users using it actively. It provides users with a common forum to share about their lives in the form of photos, videos, stories, and much more.
If you do not post actively on Instagram, you probably use it for messaging and conversing with others. If you have had a long chat with somebody and want to find a particular message in it, it could be tiring to scroll all the way up to do so.
In this scenario, the Search in Conversation feature comes in handy. Instagram recently introduced this feature where users can instantly search for a specific message they are looking for in a particular conversation.
However, many of our Instagram-using readers have reported that they are unable to see or use this feature on their accounts. If you are also facing this issue, you are in the right place.
In this blog, we will address the issue of Instagram’s Search in Conversation feature not being visible to many users. Let’s begin by understanding how and where you can find and use this feature on the platform.
How to search for messages on Instagram?
Often, there are instances when you desperately want to check a previous message on Instagram for whatever reason.
Maybe you want to read a particularly sweet message someone sent you a while ago; maybe you want to delete an embarrassing thing you said in a conversation one day; maybe you just want to check a message for some important information.
Whatever the reason, we all have experienced this urge to check out an older message. However, scrolling up the ton of messages that you have sent afterward feels like a task. You get tired just thinking about it and let the matter be.
It can feel daunting to scroll up to that message manually. This is why users were thrilled when Instagram finally introduced its Search in Conversation feature. If you are wondering how to search messages in Instagram chats using this feature, we have got you covered with a step-by-step guide. Let’s begin!
Step 1: Log in to your Instagram account and make sure you have it updated to the latest version.
Step 2: In the top right corner, you’d see a DM icon; tap it open.
Step 3: Find the chat from which you want to search for a message. Tap on it.
There would be an icon on the top right corner of your screen for Other options. Click on it.
Step 4: Under More Actions, you will be able to see the Search in Conversation option. Tap it.
Step 5: A search bar will appear at the top of your screen; type the keywords for the message you want to search in the search bar.
Tap the search button. After you follow these steps and make the search, you will see a result window appear on the screen.
Every single message in your conversation with the given keyword will pop up in this window. You can select the message you are looking for.
There you go, you have successfully searched for a message on Instagram.
If you are facing an issue where you cannot see the feature, let’s understand how we can fix it in the following section.
How to Fix Search in Conversation Not Showing on Instagram?
Many users have complained that they are not able to see the Search in Conversation feature on Instagram. If you have followed the steps mentioned earlier and are still unable to access the feature, let’s figure out a couple of ways to fix it.
Fix #1: Try updating the app.
One possible reason the Search in Conversation feature is not visible on your Instagram is that you haven’t updated the app. The feature is available in its latest version; therefore, you must update the app to the newest version.
Go to PLayStore on Android or AppStore on IOS, and update the app.
Fix #2: Uninstall and Reinstall the app
If updating Instagram hasn’t worked for you, you could try uninstalling the app and reinstalling it back on. This might do the trick.
After uninstalling the app from your phone, go to your PlayStore in Android or AppStore in IOS and reinstall the app. Then try to look for the Search in Conversation feature as per the steps mentioned in the step-by-step guide above.
Fix #3: Check if Instagram’s server is down.
One possible reason the Search in Conversation feature would not be visible to a user is if Instagram’s server is down. The platform’s server being down can result in the application not working properly.
You can go to websites like Downdetector, Datadog, Site24x7, etc., and check if the server for Instagram is down. If it is, wait for it to go back up again.
Fix #4: Contact Instagram Support
Lastly, if nothing else works, you can contact the Instagram support team to report your issue and wait for them to fix it.
You can Report a Problem on the platform or write to Instagram at support@instagram.com.
These are a few simple fixes with which you can try solving the issue of Instagram’s Search in Conversation feature not showing on your app.
Other than using this feature to search for specific messages on Instagram, there are a few other ways. Let’s discuss them in the next section.
Other ways to search for messages on Instagram
The platform’s Search in Conversation feature is the best and most convenient way to search for specific messages in Instagram DMs. However, if the feature isn’t visible to you yet, you can try other ways to get your job done.
Download the message data for the Instagram chat.
One way to search for older messages in your Instagram chats is by downloading your entire message data for the conversation you seek.
Instagram provides a tool called Download Data, using which you can download all the messages in an Instagram chat. After you have downloaded the conversation data, given that it’s all in text format, you can easily search for keywords and phrases.
In this way, you can conveniently find the message that you are looking for.
Scroll up to that message.
Let’s face it; if nothing else works, you have no option but to scroll up to the message you are looking for manually. Sure, it seems like the most daunting task imaginable, but sometimes, you’ve got no other choice.
So, if all else fails, try to manually scroll until you find the message you are looking for. This can be done on your mobile devices or in a web browser on your desktop.
That’s how you can search for messages on Instagram without using the Search in Conversation feature.
Wrapping it up
Let’s quickly wrap up our discussion by recapping everything we have learned so far. First, we began by discussing how users can search for Instagram messages using the Search in Conversation feature with the help of a step-by-step guide.
Then we acknowledged how some users have been facing an issue where the Search in Conversation feature is not visible to them. We then explored a few ways to fix the problem.
Lastly, we determined a couple of other ways to search messages in Instagram DMs without using the Search in Conversation feature at all. We hope we have addressed all your queries and doubts about the Search in Conversation feature on Instagram.
If you have any more questions, drop them in the comments below, and we will answer them in our upcoming blogs!
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