2010
- Instagram was officially launched by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger.
2012
- Facebook acquired Instagram for approximately $1 billion in cash and stock.
2013
- Video sharing capabilities were introduced.
- "Instagram Direct" was launched, allowing direct photo and video sharing with friends.
2015
- Advertising was opened to all businesses.
- The 'Boomerang' app was introduced, offering short looping videos.
2016
- The platform underwent a major redesign.
- "Stories" feature was launched, allowing content that disappears after 24 hours.
2017
- Users could now upload multiple photos and videos in a single post.
- Face filters were added to the camera function.
2018
- The "IGTV" platform was announced for long-form videos.
- The platform reached 1 billion users.
2019
- Instagram began trials to hide "likes" in select countries.
2020
- The "Reels" feature was introduced, focusing on short entertaining videos.
2021
- Enhancements were made to the Reels feature.
- E-commerce capabilities were expanded, promoting business shops and in-app purchases.
2022
- Plans to introduce non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to the platform were confirmed.
- The company was fined $402 million by Ireland's Data Protection Commission.
- The “Notes” feature was introduced, allowing text-centric content in feeds.
2023
- A feature to add animated GIFs in comments was launched.
- Mark Zuckerberg announced that Meta would start selling blue verification badges on Instagram and Facebook. Sound familiar? “Twitter Is Planning On Charging For Verification” – Says The Verge.
Conclusion:
Instagram's transformation from its inception in 2010 to 2023 underscores the dynamism inherent in the tech industry. By consistently introducing novel features like NFTs, "Notes", and GIFs in comments, Instagram illustrates its unwavering commitment to user experience and innovation. However, as the hefty fine in 2022 highlights, with rapid digital evolution comes the responsibility of ensuring ethical and legal practices. As Instagram propels into the future under the Meta umbrella, its journey serves as a testament to the delicate balance between pioneering growth and upholding digital trust. We’ll see how Instagram performs in both of these areas in the future.
