Instagram is a photo and video sharing social networking service owned by Facebook, Inc. It was created by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, and launched in October 2010 exclusively on iOS. A version for Android devices was released a year and half later, in April 2012, followed by a feature-limited website interface in November 2012, and apps for Windows 10 Mobile and Windows 10 in April 2016 and October 2016 respectively.
The app allows users to upload media that can be edited with filters and organized with tags and location information. Users can browse other users' content by tags and locations, and view trending content. Users can "like" photos, and follow other users to add their content to a feed. The service also added messaging features, the ability to include multiple images or videos in a single post, as well as "Stories"—similar to its main competitor Snapchat—which allows users to post photos and videos to a sequential feed, with each post accessible by others for 24 hours each.
As of April 2021, Instagram had more than one billion monthly active users. The service was acquired by Facebook in April 2012 for approximately US$1 billion in cash and stock. In 2013, Instagram grew by 23%, while Facebook, as the parent company, only grew by 3%. In 2021, Instagram reached the milestone of having one billion users on its platform.
In addition to its main use as a social networking platform, Instagram has also been used for business marketing, celebrity branding, and artistic expression. Many notable individuals and organizations have a presence on the platform, and it has been used to document events and news. Instagram has faced criticism for policy and interface changes, alleged censorship, and illegal or improper content uploaded by users.
History
Instagram was created by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, who both studied design at Stanford University. Systrom, the CEO, had previously worked at Google and Odeo (the company that later became Twitter). Krieger, the CTO, had previously worked as a software engineer at Adobe Systems.
Image Credits: nytimes.com
The idea for Instagram came about when Systrom was on a trip to Mexico in 2010. He was inspired by the unique, square-cropped photos that were popular on the photo-sharing site Flickr at the time, and he wanted to create a similar app for the iPhone. He teamed up with Krieger, and they began working on the app in a small office in San Francisco.
The first version of Instagram was launched in October 2010, exclusively on the iOS platform. It quickly gained popularity, especially among young people, who were attracted to the app's simple, intuitive design and its focus on visual content.
In April 2012, Instagram released a version for Android devices, which further increased its user base. In November 2012, the company launched a website interface, which allowed users to access the app from their desktop computers.
In April 2012, just two months after the Android launch, Facebook acquired Instagram for $1 billion in cash and stock. This helped to accelerate the growth of the app, as Facebook's resources and user base allowed Instagram to reach a wider audience.
Conclusion
Since its launch, Instagram has undergone numerous updates and changes, including the introduction of features such as video sharing, messaging, and "Stories," which allows users to post a sequence of photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours.
Today, Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, with over one billion monthly active users. It has become a powerful tool for businesses, celebrities, and individuals to connect with and reach a wide audience, and it has had a significant impact on the way we communicate and share information online.
