In this 2025 guide, learn how Navigation metrics in Insights (forward taps, back taps, exits, swipes) help you analyze Stories performance and improve engagement.
👉 If you want to convert Story engagement into DMs, leads, or sales, Inrō automates it all. Start free today.
If you’ve ever checked your Instagram Insights and asked yourself, “What does navigation mean on Instagram?” — you’re not alone.
The Navigation tab in Instagram Insights shows how people move through your Stories: whether they tapped forward, went back, exited, or swiped to the next account. Understanding these metrics helps you figure out what’s engaging your audience and what’s making them leave.
In this guide, we’ll break down every Navigation metric, explain what it means for your content, and share tips to improve your Stories’ performance.
The Navigation section in Instagram Insights tells you how viewers interact with your Stories. It answers questions like:
In short: Navigation = how users move through your Stories.
This data helps you evaluate whether your Stories are interesting enough to hold attention or if they’re causing people to skip.
👉 Keyword targets: what does navigation mean on instagram story, instagram navigation explained, instagram story navigation metrics
What it means: The number of times people tapped to move to the next Story slide in your sequence.
⚡ Tip: A high number here is normal, but if it’s extreme, your content might not be engaging.
What it means: The number of times viewers tapped left to rewatch the previous Story.
⚡ Tip: Treat high back taps as a positive signal. Analyze what made people go back (hooks, humor, aesthetics).
What it means: When users swipe to another account’s Story instead of staying with yours.
⚡ Tip: If one specific Story gets a lot of next swipes, that’s a sign to rethink the content format.
What it means: The number of times users left Stories completely.
⚡ Tip: Check if your Story was too long, confusing, or irrelevant.
👉 Keyword targets: instagram navigation forward meaning, instagram back taps, instagram story exits, instagram next story swipes
Here’s how to use these metrics together:
Look for patterns across multiple Stories. For example, if every product Story gets skipped, but behind-the-scenes ones get rewatched, that’s your signal to adjust strategy.
High-quality visuals stand out. Use apps, editing tools, or even professional help to create content that feels polished and engaging.
Make sure your Stories match your audience’s interests. For brands, stay niche-specific but add variety to avoid monotony.
Watch what competitors are posting in Stories. Analyze formats, hooks, and engagement tricks you can adapt.
Use Insights to test hashtags, CTAs, and interactive stickers. Run A/B tests (with/without captions, polls, etc.) to optimize performance.
Don’t cut corners. Modern smartphones are enough, but better gear or unique content formats (like drone shots) can give you an edge.
👉 Keyword targets: how to improve instagram stories, instagram analytics navigation, instagram story engagement tips
Beyond Navigation, Instagram Insights offers:
Together with Navigation, these metrics give a complete picture of your Stories’ success.
Navigation metrics tell you how people move through your content. But if you want to turn Story engagement into conversations and conversions, that’s where Inrō comes in.
It shows how viewers move through your Stories (forward, back, exits, next swipes).
Not always. Forward taps are normal, but too many suggest your Story isn’t engaging.
It usually means people liked your Story enough to rewatch it.
Next swipes are more negative because users skip to another account. Exits are sometimes natural.
Yes—by creating engaging hooks, using interactive stickers, and testing formats that keep people watching longer.
Join marketers insights & strategies weekly
By entering your email address above and clicking Subcribe, you consent to receive marketing communications (such as newsletters, blog posts, event invitations and new product updates), and targeted advertising from Inrō from time to time. You can unsubscribe from our marketing emails at anytime by clinking on the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of our emails. For more information about how we process personal information and what right you have on this respect, please see our Privacy Policy.
Attract more leads, target them with DM marketing, and automate all your interactions on Instagram!
Simple Marketing
Automation for Instagram
