Are you looking to give your Instagram profile a sleek, minimalist look by creating highlights without any visible name? One of the trendiest ways to update your profile aesthetic in 2025 is to make your highlight names blank.
With over 2 billion monthly active users on Instagram worldwide, more creators and brands are focusing on refined, clean visuals rather than cluttered labels.
In this article we’ll walk you through exactly how to make your Instagram highlight name blank, why it works, what you’ll need, and tips to fine-tune your profile’s look.
Why a Blank Highlight Name Works for Your Profile
Leaving your highlight name blank creates a subtle, elegant effect. Instead of a text label, each highlight becomes a simple icon or cover image that draws attention without distraction. This aesthetic aligns with modern design trends, which emphasize minimalism, whitespace and visual storytelling.
In addition, a blank highlight name invites curiosity—viewers may click to explore and see what the highlight contains, rather than skipping over something with a long label. For creators, influencers, and brands aiming for a polished presence, this trick offers a small tweak that can make a noticeable difference.
As Instagram adds new features and design changes, keeping your profile clean and unified helps you stand out and feel more curated.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before you begin editing your highlights, gather these essentials:
- Ensure you have the latest version of the Instagram app (this trick works on iOS and Android, though some older Android versions have reported glitches).
- Learn how to edit an existing highlight or create a new one.
- Obtain an invisible or non-visible character to paste into the highlight name field (Instagram does not allow the name field to be left completely empty).
- A clean highlight cover image or icon that fits your aesthetic.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Instagram Highlight Name Blank
- Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
- Tap on the highlight you want to edit (or tap “New” to create one).
- If editing an existing highlight, tap the three dots (⋯) or “More” button, then select Edit Highlight.
- Tap on the highlight cover and choose your image if you want to change it.
- When you get to the “Highlight name” field, delete any visible characters. Although at this point the field is empty, Instagram may force-replace it with default text (like “Highlights”) if you leave it completely blank.
- Paste the invisible character you copied earlier into the name field. Because this character has no visible glyph, it appears blank even though there is a value there.
- Tap Done or Save. Your highlight will now appear without any visible name.
- Repeat the process for each highlight you want blank.
How to Grab an Invisible Character
Since Instagram requires something in the name field, you’ll need a character that looks like nothing. Here’s how:
- Visit a site that offers invisible characters (look for “invisible text Instagram” or “blank character Unicode”).
- Select the invisible character (for example, zero-width space, Hangul filler, blank braille pattern) and copy it to your clipboard.
- Use it when editing your highlight name field as described above.
Tips for Icon & Cover Image Design
Because the highlight label is now hidden, the cover image becomes even more important. Consider these best practices:
- Use a consistent style: same color palette, font, or icon set across all your covers.
- Make sure the icon or image clearly indicates the content of the highlight—for example, “Behind-the-Scenes” could be a camcorder icon, “Q&A” could be a chat bubble.
- Keep the design simple and focused: minimalist icons without many details tend to be easiest to recognize.
- Preview how your profile looks in grid view and on mobile devices to ensure the icons are legible at smaller sizes.
Why Some Users Face Issues
Some users report that the blank highlight name trick doesn’t always work as expected. Common issues include:
- Instagram updating the app and re-enabling default highlight titles.
- Android users with older versions of the app experiencing bugs.
- Forgotten to use the invisible character and leaving the field truly empty, which triggers the default label.
To avoid issues, make sure your app is updated, and copy the invisible character properly. If you still see a label like “Highlights,” edit again and paste a longer invisible string (sometimes a single invisible space doesn’t “stick”).
Advanced Customization: Organizing and Optimizing Your Highlights
Once you’ve mastered the blank name trick, you can take your highlight strategy to the next level:
Organize logically: Think about how your highlights will appear in order. Do you want “Featured Products,” “Testimonials,” “Events,” “Travel,” etc.? Even without titles, your icon order matters.
Update regularly: Keep your highlights fresh. Instagram Stories live for 24 hours but when you archive them into highlights you’re showing more timeless content; update covers or content every few months to reflect current priorities.
Use as a funnel: For businesses, use highlights as mini-landing pages. For example: “FAQs,” “How It Works,” “Customer Reviews.” With the title hidden you streamline the look—but you must rely on icon clarity and content strategy.
Track performance: Use Instagram Insights (available for business/creator accounts) to see which highlights generate story views and retention. A clean aesthetic is helpful, but it must pair with compelling content.
Conclusion
Making your Instagram highlight name blank is a clever and effective way to create a clean, modern profile aesthetic. By copying an invisible character and pasting it into the highlight name field, you remove visible text while maintaining functionality.
Pair this technique with consistent icon design, thoughtful organization, and fresh content to elevate your profile and reinforce your brand or personal image. With over 2 billion users on Instagram and an ever-increasing emphasis on visual identity, small details like this matter more than ever. Give it a try—your highlight icons will shine, and your profile will look sharper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this trick allowed by Instagram?
Yes — you are simply using a Unicode character instead of visible text. Instagram hasn’t banned this method.
Will my followers still see the highlight name?
No. When done correctly, the name appears blank on your profile—both to you and your followers.
What about accessibility?
Keep in mind that visually impaired users might rely on screen-reader labels. Since you’re removing the visible name, it’s best to include descriptive content inside the highlight stories themselves or in the cover image alt text.
Can I revert later?
Absolutely. Just go back to Edit Highlight, remove the invisible character, and type your new title. Save, and everything returns to normal.
Does this work on both iOS and Android?
Yes, but some older Android versions report glitches. Updating the app usually solves the problem.