Instagram is currently testing a new feature that allows users to catch up on missed content from mutual followers.
This feature aims to make it easier to access story highlights, which curated stories saved by users to their profiles even after the 24-hour expiration window.

For now, Instagram stories have a limited duration and disappear after 24 hours. As a result, several followers miss important updates, especially as feeds get crowded with reels, sponsored posts, and regular stories. ]
To address this, Instagram is experimenting with a way to display Unseen Story Highlights from mutual followers at the bottom of the Stories tray. This section will only appear after users have viewed all the active stories from people they follow. This feature allows you to view handpicked highlights again after seeing all the standard, time-sensitive stories.
This new feature will benefit people who follow a large number of individuals or who don't have time to watch all the stories in one place. Instagram's testing ensures users don't miss important content, particularly from friends and family.
It's worth noting that this feature does not affect everyday stories, which will continue disappearing after 24 hours. Instead, it focuses exclusively on Story Highlights, offering users more options for discovering older content.

Meta has confirmed that a small group of users is currently testing this feature. If successful, it will be rolled out to an audience abroad, further enhancing the Instagram experience by helping users stay connected with the people they care about.