7 Instagram features that showed you success in 2019
In the fast-pacing world, change is the only constant. In the past year, Instagram was observed following this mantra to the T.
2019 brought along many new features, increased active users from 100 million to a predicted 111 million and saw tremendous love among social media celebrities for the platform. Various brands launched their Instagram pages, multiple movie-stars created an active account and video content ascended a level up. Yet, you must be wondering, what were the features that showed such success and led to revenue growth for the platform in 2019? Then here’s your answer:
2019 brought along many new features, increased active users from 100 million to a predicted 111 million and saw tremendous love among social media celebrities for the platform. Various brands launched their Instagram pages, multiple movie-stars created an active account and video content ascended a level up. Yet, you must be wondering, what were the features that showed such success and led to revenue growth for the platform in 2019? Then here’s your answer:
1) Instagram Stories got a revamp with ‘Create’ mode
Instagram stories have been a hype since its launch. In fact, it is doing better than the rest of the lot aka Facebook and WhatsApp, with 400 million of them posted everyday. Now, Instagram levelled it up by adding a ‘Create Mode’ feature to the settings where one can make a story based on text or emojis rather than a compulsory photo or video shot. Moreover, the ‘Camera’ settings also gets easier by a semi-circular disk with categorized options available on the screen for editing. The success of this newly added feature need not be cited, well because all of us have been using the text-only stories once in a while.
2) Instagram’s contribution to the society with Donation stickers
Instagram creators and owners wanted to show their concern and support for non-profit organizations across the globe. A feature was introduced in 2019 where any user can donate and start a fundraising online event for any non-profit of their choice. The process? Pretty simple -
A photo is added to the Instagram Stories option and one has to select the ‘Donation’ sticker from the sticker drop-down list. Then, among the given options, select the organization you want to make a difference to and launch the fundraiser. Instagram even keeps a track and informs the story creator about the amount raised and then donates 100% of it. Celebs like Pharrell Williams have used this feature in recent times! It is indeed a clever move with 46% of Instagram content coming from stories.
A photo is added to the Instagram Stories option and one has to select the ‘Donation’ sticker from the sticker drop-down list. Then, among the given options, select the organization you want to make a difference to and launch the fundraiser. Instagram even keeps a track and informs the story creator about the amount raised and then donates 100% of it. Celebs like Pharrell Williams have used this feature in recent times! It is indeed a clever move with 46% of Instagram content coming from stories.
3) Instagram introduced a creator profile for influencers
Instagram has always been open and supportive of business profiles and brands. It provides business profiles in many additional features and analytics tools to help them in their marketing strategy.
However, in 2019 it also added a creator profile that works in tandem with the influencers on the platform, providing them with ‘Instagram Insights’ and ‘Instagram Creator Studio’ which allows influencers to analyze the work they have done and improve on it. Apart from this, there are customization tools for higher engagement and the DMs are filtered in three categories – General, Primary and requests. I am sure the influencers have got huge number of likes and followers from this newly introduced feature.
However, in 2019 it also added a creator profile that works in tandem with the influencers on the platform, providing them with ‘Instagram Insights’ and ‘Instagram Creator Studio’ which allows influencers to analyze the work they have done and improve on it. Apart from this, there are customization tools for higher engagement and the DMs are filtered in three categories – General, Primary and requests. I am sure the influencers have got huge number of likes and followers from this newly introduced feature.
4) Instagram ups the commercialization with price tag
Instagram launched a special ‘shopping tag’ tool w.r.t influencers and celebs where their promoted posts for any product will be backed by that tag. With this, the followers were able to buy that product by a single click on that tag, without struggling to search for the same product on other online selling platforms. Add a tag, direct sell and get insights on the revenue generated. Celebs like Camila Coelho use this tag to promote brands. With about 60% of users learning about various new products on Instagram, this makes it easier to grab attention and convert it into sales.
5) Instagram adopts AR for customized filters
Facebook has mentioned about the Spark AR studio – the software that creates Instagram filters for brands & designers, in the conference held by them. Now, Instagram is following this trend and getting more people in the loop. In the past year, this feature was made available to everyone for personal marketing.
Kylie Jenner uses it for her brands while Adidas had a retro filter created for a new marketing campaign launch. This becomes a major differentiating factor for brands on the platform, as earlier 60% of brands used the same filter in their posts.
Kylie Jenner uses it for her brands while Adidas had a retro filter created for a new marketing campaign launch. This becomes a major differentiating factor for brands on the platform, as earlier 60% of brands used the same filter in their posts.
6) Instagram chasing authenticity by hiding likes
Instagram users are often known to talk about and worry about the number of likes a post gets. It has been an eye-catcher below posts rather than the post content itself. Of late the number of likes has become a major determinant of whether a person will see or ignore your post’.
Hence, Instagram is testing a tool since 2019 to hide the number of likes count on Instagram depending on the choice of the account holder. While this feature is yet to see its launch, it is sure to change the mindset of people from focusing on likes to actually connect with people and posting quality posts. Without knowing the likes, one can be honest about their choices about the post, like and share it accordingly, no boundaries whatsoever.
Hence, Instagram is testing a tool since 2019 to hide the number of likes count on Instagram depending on the choice of the account holder. While this feature is yet to see its launch, it is sure to change the mindset of people from focusing on likes to actually connect with people and posting quality posts. Without knowing the likes, one can be honest about their choices about the post, like and share it accordingly, no boundaries whatsoever.
7) Instagram fights against bullying
Bullying (Statistics) has been existing in the world for a very long time. Fortunately, today the awareness is touching the skies and so are the measures adopted to fight against them. With more than 25% of teens and young adults being bullied over the internet, Instagram’s anti-bullying features are on an attempt to bring the number down.
Instagram has introduced a ‘nudge’ with the help of AR that recognizes and warns the user before posting a negative comment that allows them to rethink before posting it. Another feature ‘Away Mode’ that is still on the testing phase will allow one to leave Instagram temporarily during bad days and come back later. These features have been expressed as only the start and are working extremely well to control negativity on the platform and teach users the value of optimism and mutual support.
Instagram has introduced a ‘nudge’ with the help of AR that recognizes and warns the user before posting a negative comment that allows them to rethink before posting it. Another feature ‘Away Mode’ that is still on the testing phase will allow one to leave Instagram temporarily during bad days and come back later. These features have been expressed as only the start and are working extremely well to control negativity on the platform and teach users the value of optimism and mutual support.
conclusion
These successful features were launched before at the Facebook developer Conference and have resulted in not so surprising results. The user count is increasing, brands are given priority, influencers are gauging reputation and safety is becoming a priority.
These features have come a long way ahead, along the road, acting as necessary and vital changes on the platform. Although success isn’t always about quantitative aspects, it is also about the support these features receive, the goodwill they generate and the influence they cast. After all, who wouldn’t encourage donating money with a single click and an in-house anti-bullying campaign!
These features have come a long way ahead, along the road, acting as necessary and vital changes on the platform. Although success isn’t always about quantitative aspects, it is also about the support these features receive, the goodwill they generate and the influence they cast. After all, who wouldn’t encourage donating money with a single click and an in-house anti-bullying campaign!