What is Instagram?

Instagram is a visual-focused social media platform founded in 2010 and acquired by Facebook (now Meta) in 2012. The platform centers around photo and video sharing, allowing users to post content, follow other accounts, and interact through likes, comments, and direct messages.

Over the years, Instagram has evolved from a simple photo-sharing app with filters to a comprehensive social platform offering multiple content formats, shopping features, and extensive business tools.

Instagram offers various ways to share and consume content:

Feed Posts: Permanent photos and videos that appear in followers' feeds
Stories: 24-hour temporary content that appears at the top of the app
Reels: Short-form vertical videos designed to compete with TikTok
Instagram Live: Real-time video broadcasts with viewer interaction
Carousels: Multiple images or videos in a single swipeable post

Instagram for business and marketing

With over 2 billion monthly active users, Instagram offers powerful marketing opportunities:

• Visual storytelling: Showcasing products, culture, and brand aesthetic
• Community building: Creating connections through engaging content and conversations
• Influencer partnerships: Collaborating with relevant creators to reach new audiences
• Shoppable content: Tagging products directly in posts for seamless purchasing
• Targeted advertising: Creating sophisticated ad campaigns with precise audience targeting

Businesses can convert personal accounts to Business or Creator profiles to access additional features, including detailed analytics, contact buttons, auto-scheduled posts, and promotional tools.