University of Kwazulu-Natal

What Is Instagram A Comprehensive Overview The Knowledge Academy

Bonisiwe Shabane
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what is instagram a comprehensive overview the knowledge academy

So, what is Instagram? Welcome to your go-to guide to the fast-growing, ever-changing social media platform that is Instagram. If you haven’t yet hopped on the Instagram bandwagon—even if you’re still asking “What is Instagram?”—the odds are slim that you’ve never heard of the social media app that has taken the world by... Take a moment to imagine a digital wonderland where celebrities, influencers and your long-lost high school friends coexist, where you can explore breathtaking destinations, get style inspiration from fashionistas and even catch a glimpse... After all, Instagram is more than just a photo-sharing app. It’s a digital scrapbook mixed with a never-ending reality show, where celebrities and everyday folks alike come to share their lives in a phone-shaped frame.

From A-listers like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and the Kardashians to your pals down the street, everyone’s triumphs and mishaps are yours for the viewing. And let’s not forget the viral moments that broke the internet, like the egg that cracked Kylie Jenner’s record for most-liked post (sorry, Kylie, the egg wins this round!). Ready to try it for yourself? Keep reading, because we have the scoop on everything from what the app is to how to use Instagram, including all the features you don’t want to miss, like how to hide likes and... So grab your phone and get ready to start your journey into the land of filters, hashtags and double-taps. Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more tech tips, humor, cleaning, travel and fun facts all week long.

Instagram[a] is an American photo and short-form video sharing social networking service owned by Meta Platforms. It allows users to upload media that can be edited with filters, be organized by hashtags, and be associated with a location via geographical tagging.[7] Posts can be shared publicly or with preapproved followers. Users can browse other users' content by tags and locations, view trending content, like photos, and follow other users to add their content to a personal feed.[8] A Meta-operated image-centric social media platform, it... Users can take photos and edit them using built-in filters and other tools, then share them on other social media platforms like Facebook. It supports 33 languages including English, Hindi, Spanish, French, Japanese, and Korean.[9] Instagram was originally distinguished by allowing content to be framed only in a square (1:1) aspect ratio of 640 pixels to match the display width of the iPhone at the time.

In 2015, this restriction was eased with an increase to 1080 pixels. It also added messaging features, the ability to include multiple images or videos in a single post, and a Stories feature—similar to its main competitor, Snapchat, which allowed users to post their content to... As of January 2019, Stories was used by 500 million people daily.[8] The Burbn Beta app was made available for iOS on October 6, 2010, by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger — still as a prototype, but for the first time available as a real app... The app received around 25,000 registrations that day, though it remained a public beta. Six days later, on October 12, 2010, the final stable non-beta version was officially released under a new name — Instagram.[10] This renaming gave an even bigger response, it rapidly gained popularity, reaching 1...

In April 2012, Facebook acquired the service for approximately US$1 billion in cash and stock. The Android version of Instagram was released in April 2012, followed by a feature-limited desktop interface in November 2012, a Fire OS app in June 2014, an app for Windows 10 in October 2016,... Although often admired for its success and influence, Instagram has also been criticized for negatively affecting teens' mental health, its policy and interface changes, its alleged censorship, and illegal and inappropriate content uploaded by... Instagram began development in San Francisco as Burbn, a mobile check-in app created by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. On March 5, 2010, Systrom closed a $500,000 (equivalent to $700,000 in 2024) seed funding round with Baseline Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz while working on Burbn.[11][12] Realizing that it was too similar to Foursquare,... Josh Riedel joined the company in October as Community Manager,[16] Shayne Sweeney joined in November as an engineer,[16] and Jessica Zollman joined as a Community Evangelist in August 2011.[16][17]

Here's what Instagram is all about and how people are using it Instagram is a popular social networking app with a focus on sharing photos and videos. It's been around since 2010 and has maintained a high level of popularity by adding innovative new features, such as Instagram Stories, shopping, Instagram Reels, and more. Similar to Facebook or X (formerly Twitter), everyone who creates an Instagram account has a profile and a news feed. When you post a photo or video on Instagram, it displays on your profile. Other users who follow you see your posts in their feed.

Likewise, you see posts from other users you follow. Instagram is like a simplified version of Facebook with an emphasis on mobile use and visual sharing. Like other social networks, you interact with other users by following them, letting others follow you, commenting, liking, tagging, and private messaging. You can also save photos you see on Instagram. Instagram is a social media platform primarily designed for sharing photos and videos. Launched in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, Instagram quickly gained popularity for its visual-centric approach, allowing users to capture and share moments with a global audience.

Initially developed as a simple photo-sharing app with filters to enhance images, Instagram has evolved into a comprehensive platform offering various features, including Stories, IGTV, Reels, and Shopping. Acquired by Facebook (now Meta) in 2012, Instagram has grown to become one of the most influential social networks in the world, with over 1 billion active users as of 2024. Instagram’s popularity and features make it an excellent platform for online marketing. Here’s why: While Instagram Anonymous is not directly linked to traditional search engine optimization (SEO), it can still contribute to a brand’s overall online presence and SEO strategy in several ways: Instagram is more than just a social media platform; it’s a powerful tool for online marketing and brand building.

Its visual-centric approach, high engagement rates, and diverse features make it ideal for businesses looking to connect with a broad audience. While Instagram may not directly impact traditional SEO, its ability to enhance brand visibility, foster engagement, and drive traffic can complement and amplify a brand’s overall digital marketing strategy. By leveraging Instagram effectively, businesses can boost their online presence, build stronger customer relationships, and ultimately achieve their marketing goals. Read more details about instagram story viewer for how to use the tool. Updated Version: We have a new-and-improved tutorial about Instagram, called Instagram Basics. You can access it here.

Instagram is a popular photo-sharing app for smartphones. Compared with other social networks, Instagram is relatively simple—it's focused mainly on sharing photos and videos with your friends. At this point, you may be thinking: Why do I need a separate app for sharing photos? Couldn't I just post them to Facebook or another social network? One reason for Instagram's popularity is its simplicity. Rather than focusing on a lot of different features, Instagram has one core feature, which makes it especially easy to share photos and see photos from your friends.

Filters are another reason people like using Instagram. Whenever you take a photo in Instagram, you can quickly apply a filter to give the photo a unique look. Filters can help transform an ordinary photo into something worth sharing without much effort. For example, take a look at the embedded Instagram photo below: Now take a look at the same photo with a few Instagram filters. We applied these filters in just a few seconds, and we didn't need any special or technical knowledge to use them.

Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world. Launched in 2010, it started as a simple photo-sharing app and has since evolved into a powerful space for social networking, digital marketing, and content creation. Whether you’re a complete beginner or someone looking to polish their understanding, this beginner’s guide to Instagram in 2025 will walk you through everything you need to know—how it works, what features matter most,... Instagram is a free-to-use mobile app and web platform that allows users to share photos, videos, and messages. It offers features such as Stories, Reels, Live videos, direct messaging, and a personalized feed. People use Instagram to connect with friends, discover new content, follow celebrities and influencers, promote businesses, and more.

Over the years, Instagram has introduced advanced features like augmented reality filters, professional dashboards for creators, and Reels—short videos that have transformed how users engage with content. In 2025, the platform continues to prioritize visual creativity and algorithm-driven discovery. Getting started with Instagram is straightforward. First, download the Instagram app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. You can also use the desktop version for basic functions. After downloading, sign up using your email address, phone number, or Facebook account.

For beginners, it’s a good idea to explore the app interface and familiarize yourself with tabs such as Home, Search, Reels, Shop, and Profile.

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So, What Is Instagram? Welcome To Your Go-to Guide To

So, what is Instagram? Welcome to your go-to guide to the fast-growing, ever-changing social media platform that is Instagram. If you haven’t yet hopped on the Instagram bandwagon—even if you’re still asking “What is Instagram?”—the odds are slim that you’ve never heard of the social media app that has taken the world by... Take a moment to imagine a digital wonderland where celebrities, influence...

From A-listers Like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson And The Kardashians

From A-listers like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and the Kardashians to your pals down the street, everyone’s triumphs and mishaps are yours for the viewing. And let’s not forget the viral moments that broke the internet, like the egg that cracked Kylie Jenner’s record for most-liked post (sorry, Kylie, the egg wins this round!). Ready to try it for yourself? Keep reading, because we have the scoop o...

Instagram[a] Is An American Photo And Short-form Video Sharing Social

Instagram[a] is an American photo and short-form video sharing social networking service owned by Meta Platforms. It allows users to upload media that can be edited with filters, be organized by hashtags, and be associated with a location via geographical tagging.[7] Posts can be shared publicly or with preapproved followers. Users can browse other users' content by tags and locations, view trendi...

In 2015, This Restriction Was Eased With An Increase To

In 2015, this restriction was eased with an increase to 1080 pixels. It also added messaging features, the ability to include multiple images or videos in a single post, and a Stories feature—similar to its main competitor, Snapchat, which allowed users to post their content to... As of January 2019, Stories was used by 500 million people daily.[8] The Burbn Beta app was made available for iOS on ...

In April 2012, Facebook Acquired The Service For Approximately US$1

In April 2012, Facebook acquired the service for approximately US$1 billion in cash and stock. The Android version of Instagram was released in April 2012, followed by a feature-limited desktop interface in November 2012, a Fire OS app in June 2014, an app for Windows 10 in October 2016,... Although often admired for its success and influence, Instagram has also been criticized for negatively affe...