Instagram

Instagram, a photo and video-sharing social media platform, was launched on 6 October 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. Initially available only on iOS, it gained 25,000 users on its first day and reached one million within three months. Originally designed to feature photographs taken on mobile devices, Instagram has grown to become a major social media platform with over 1.4 billion monthly active users by 2024.

The app was initially distinctive for allowing content to be framed only in a square aspect ratio, matching the display width of the iPhone 4 at the time. This restriction was eased in 2015, allowing larger images up to 1080 pixels. Instagram also introduced several new features over the years, such as direct messaging, multiple images or videos in a single post, and Instagram Stories, a feature similar to Snapchat, where content disappears after 24 hours.

In April 2012, Facebook (now Meta) acquired Instagram for approximately $1 billion in cash and stock. Despite the acquisition, Instagram has maintained its focus on photo and video-sharing while introducing enhancements like built-in filters, the ability to share media on other social platforms, and a Discover tab for exploring content.

Instagram's success can be attributed to its simplicity, user engagement, and features that encourage social interaction. The platform has also faced criticism, particularly regarding its impact on teens' mental health, changes in its policy and interface, and concerns over censorship and inappropriate content.

Instagram is available on various platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows 10, and the web, and supports 32 languages. It remains a significant part of Meta’s portfolio, continuing to expand its user base and influence in the social media landscape.

Instagram, initially developed in San Francisco, began as a mobile check-in app named Burbn, created by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. The app’s development started in 2010, and on 5 March 2010, Systrom secured $500,000 in seed funding from Baseline Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz. However, realising that Burbn was too similar to Foursquare, the developers shifted focus towards photo-sharing, a feature that had gained popularity among its users. This led to the rebranding of Burbn as Instagram, a portmanteau of “instant camera” and “telegram.”

2010–2011: Beginnings and Major Funding

Instagram began as a mobile check-in app named Burbn, developed by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger in San Francisco. The app, inspired by Systrom’s love for fine whiskeys and bourbons, allowed users to check in at locations, post plans, and share photos. However, Systrom and Krieger soon realised that Burbn bore too much similarity to Foursquare, a popular location-based social network. They decided to pivot and refocused the app on its most popular feature: photo-sharing. The app was rebranded as Instagram, a portmanteau of "instant camera" and "telegram."

On 5 March 2010, Systrom secured $500,000 in seed funding from Baseline Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz, which allowed him to develop Instagram further. In October 2010, the Instagram app was officially released on the Apple App Store. Within one day, the app gained 25,000 users, and by mid-December 2010, it had reached one million registered users. This early success attracted additional investment, and in February 2011, Instagram raised $7 million in Series A funding, which valued the company at approximately $20 million.

2012–2014: Expansion and Acquisition by Facebook

Instagram’s rapid growth continued into 2012, and on 3 April of that year, the company released an Android version of the app. It was downloaded over one million times within the first 24 hours. This expansion into the Android market significantly boosted Instagram’s user base, which had grown to 27 million users by March 2012.

On 9 April 2012, Facebook (now Meta Platforms) acquired Instagram for $1 billion in cash and stock. The acquisition was a strategic move by Facebook to enhance its mobile presence and enter the burgeoning photo-sharing market. Despite the acquisition, Instagram was allowed to operate independently, with its own management and product development teams.

Following the acquisition, Instagram continued to expand its reach. In November 2012, the platform launched web profiles, allowing users to view Instagram content on a web browser, although with limited functionality. This was a significant step in broadening Instagram’s accessibility beyond mobile devices.

2015–2017: Redesign and Windows App

In 2015, Instagram underwent a major redesign of its desktop interface, making it more minimalistic and in line with its mobile design. The platform also introduced a Windows 10 Mobile app in April 2016, addressing long-standing demand from users of Microsoft’s mobile operating system. This was followed by the release of an app for Windows 10 PCs and tablets in October 2016, making Instagram more accessible across various devices.

In May 2016, Instagram introduced a significant visual overhaul, updating its logo to a more abstract, colourful design and shifting to a black-and-white theme for its user interface. This redesign was part of Instagram’s effort to modernise its brand and appeal to a broader audience.

During this period, Instagram also introduced several new features that became central to the platform’s appeal. In August 2016, the company launched Instagram Stories, a feature that allows users to post photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours. This feature was similar to Snapchat’s Stories and quickly became one of Instagram’s most popular offerings, contributing to its user growth and engagement.

2018–2019: IGTV and Management Changes

In 2018, Instagram introduced IGTV, a standalone app for long-form vertical videos, allowing users to upload videos up to 10 minutes long (and up to one hour for verified users). IGTV was designed to compete with platforms like YouTube and cater to the growing trend of mobile video consumption. However, IGTV faced challenges in gaining widespread adoption and was eventually discontinued in March 2022.

September 2018 marked a significant transition for Instagram’s leadership. Co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger announced their departure from the company, leaving Instagram under the leadership of Adam Mosseri, a long-time Facebook executive. Mosseri’s appointment marked a new era for Instagram, with a focus on maintaining the platform’s growth while addressing emerging challenges such as user privacy and mental health concerns.

In 2019, Instagram began experimenting with the removal of publicly visible like counts on posts. The initiative, first piloted in Canada and later expanded to other regions, was part of an effort to reduce social pressure on users and encourage more authentic engagement on the platform.

2020–Present: Reels and Beyond

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought about significant changes in how people interacted with social media, and Instagram adapted accordingly. In March 2020, Instagram launched Co-Watching, a feature that allows users to browse posts together over video calls, catering to the need for virtual social interaction during lockdowns.

In August 2020, Instagram introduced Reels, a short-form video feature similar to TikTok, allowing users to create and share 15-second videos set to music or audio clips. Reels quickly became a central feature of Instagram, reflecting the platform’s shift towards video content and its effort to compete with TikTok. Reels has since expanded to allow longer videos and integrates with Instagram’s existing filters and editing tools.

In July 2023, Instagram’s parent company, Meta, launched Threads, a new social platform connected to Instagram, focusing on short-form text posts and conversations. Threads was designed to compete with Twitter, offering an alternative platform for public discourse.

Instagram's mission is to bring people closer by fostering connections through visual storytelling. By providing a platform where users can creatively express themselves, share moments, and engage with communities worldwide, Instagram aims to inspire and empower individuals to build meaningful relationships and discover new perspectives.

Instagram envisions a world where everyone can freely share their stories, connect with others, and explore the richness of human experience through images and videos. The platform strives to be the leading space for visual communication, continuously evolving to meet the diverse needs of its global community.

Instagram offers a variety of products and services designed to enhance user experience and engagement. The platform’s core offering includes photo and video sharing, where users can upload, edit, and share visual content with followers or the wider community. Instagram Stories, a feature that allows users to share content that disappears after 24 hours, has become a popular way for users to connect with their audience in a more immediate and informal way.

Instagram Reels, a short-form video feature, enables users to create and share 15-30 second videos set to music, similar to TikTok, allowing for creative expression and engagement. Additionally, Instagram Direct provides a private messaging service that lets users interact through text, photos, videos, and shared posts.

For businesses, Instagram offers tools like Instagram Shopping, where users can browse and purchase products directly through the app. Instagram Insights provides analytics for business accounts, helping brands track performance and engagement. Instagram also supports a robust advertising platform, enabling businesses to reach targeted audiences through sponsored posts, stories, and Reels, making it a valuable tool for digital marketing.