Your Guide to All of the Instagram Features You Need to Know
Instagram is the best social media platform for content creators.
There are hundreds of social media platforms, all of which unique features and things that draw people to them. However, Instagram has remained one of the top platforms over the decade and continues to trump others.
Facebook-owned Instagram provides users with a plethora of features that allow them to choose what kind of content they want to share and how they do it. When opening the app, you'll see several things that you can do, all revolving around media.
Read on to learn more about the main Instagram features and what they do.
There are hundreds of social media platforms, all of which unique features and things that draw people to them. However, Instagram has remained one of the top platforms over the decade and continues to trump others.
Facebook-owned Instagram provides users with a plethora of features that allow them to choose what kind of content they want to share and how they do it. When opening the app, you'll see several things that you can do, all revolving around media.
Read on to learn more about the main Instagram features and what they do.
Why Use Instagram?
Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms. It's designed to be a media sharing platform for users around the world, and you can quickly create an account if you already have a Facebook account.
The reason why people use Instagram is that they enjoy keeping up with people and sharing memories. Instagram packs a ton of features that allow users to get creative and post content they enjoy. All of the features revolve around photos and videos, making the platform entertaining and interactive.
You can use Instagram from most devices, including phones, tablets, and computers. In the past, it wasn't possible to post from a computer, but it's now possible if you have a Mac. Check out https://setapp.com/how-to/how-to-post-to-instagram-from-mac to learn more.
The reason why people use Instagram is that they enjoy keeping up with people and sharing memories. Instagram packs a ton of features that allow users to get creative and post content they enjoy. All of the features revolve around photos and videos, making the platform entertaining and interactive.
You can use Instagram from most devices, including phones, tablets, and computers. In the past, it wasn't possible to post from a computer, but it's now possible if you have a Mac. Check out https://setapp.com/how-to/how-to-post-to-instagram-from-mac to learn more.
Photo and Video Sharing
When Instagram was first developed, the creators wanted to create an app that allows people to post photos of their daily life. While most platforms had photo-sharing capabilities, none of them were focused on photos.
Instagram came up in a time when smartphones were becoming popular, so everyone was able to take pictures and quickly share them. You'll find that when you open the app, you'll see a feed of posts from users that you follow.
All of these posts have videos or photos, and users can share multiple images within 1 post. When you go to post something, you'll be able to choose from a variety of filters. You can also tag the post, set a location, and write a caption. Your post will then show up on a public feed and your profile.
Instagram came up in a time when smartphones were becoming popular, so everyone was able to take pictures and quickly share them. You'll find that when you open the app, you'll see a feed of posts from users that you follow.
All of these posts have videos or photos, and users can share multiple images within 1 post. When you go to post something, you'll be able to choose from a variety of filters. You can also tag the post, set a location, and write a caption. Your post will then show up on a public feed and your profile.
Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories is a feature that was recently added to the app when Snapchat started becoming popular. It mimics Snapchat in that users can post time-limited content that will disappear in 24 hours.
In January of 2019, there were over 500 million active users of the Stories feature. It acts as an alternative to regular posts, which remain on one's profile unless archived or deleted. People will often use Stories to make announcements or post things that they don't find aesthetic.
When Stories became more popular, Instagram started updating it with more things to do. For example, most people enjoyed using filters, so Instagram gave users the ability to create their own. Filters can be anything from animals, tattoos, colors, etc.
In January of 2019, there were over 500 million active users of the Stories feature. It acts as an alternative to regular posts, which remain on one's profile unless archived or deleted. People will often use Stories to make announcements or post things that they don't find aesthetic.
When Stories became more popular, Instagram started updating it with more things to do. For example, most people enjoyed using filters, so Instagram gave users the ability to create their own. Filters can be anything from animals, tattoos, colors, etc.
Live Streaming
Within the Stories part of the app is the live stream feature. This is a popular featured used by people that want to connect with their audiences. You'll typically see celebrities use this because it's more personal than a post is.
When live streaming, you'll see a feed of messages from users. The chat system can be used by anyone viewing your stream, and they can also click on an Instagram like icon to send hearts. These hearts are purely to make the stream interactive.
You can also take advantage of the Stories filters and use them while you're streaming. You'll have access to both the default and user-created filters.
What makes Instagram's live streaming stand out from other platforms is that it allows users to video chat with others. For example, the streamer can bring someone else onto the stream and both of the videos will be displayed.
One of the newer features that Instagram added is a Q&A mode. When someone is streaming, they can turn Q&A on and users can ask questions. The questions will show up on the screen for viewers to see while the streamer is answering them.
When live streaming, you'll see a feed of messages from users. The chat system can be used by anyone viewing your stream, and they can also click on an Instagram like icon to send hearts. These hearts are purely to make the stream interactive.
You can also take advantage of the Stories filters and use them while you're streaming. You'll have access to both the default and user-created filters.
What makes Instagram's live streaming stand out from other platforms is that it allows users to video chat with others. For example, the streamer can bring someone else onto the stream and both of the videos will be displayed.
One of the newer features that Instagram added is a Q&A mode. When someone is streaming, they can turn Q&A on and users can ask questions. The questions will show up on the screen for viewers to see while the streamer is answering them.
IGTV
IGTV is a feature meaning Instagram TV. It's Instagram's way of competing against video platforms like YouTube. It was originally introduced as a way for users to post videos longer than 1 minute, but it's grown into somewhat of a separate platform.
It can be downloaded as an individual app, but it can also be accessed from within Instagram. There isn't a difference except that some people prefer to use IGTV over the standard Instagram app.
On IGTV, you can browse videos that go up to 60 minutes in length. Mobile users can post videos that max out at 15 minutes and PC users are allowed the full 60 minutes. Many of Instagram's influencers use IGTV because they can post better content than they could with a 1-minute post.
It can be downloaded as an individual app, but it can also be accessed from within Instagram. There isn't a difference except that some people prefer to use IGTV over the standard Instagram app.
On IGTV, you can browse videos that go up to 60 minutes in length. Mobile users can post videos that max out at 15 minutes and PC users are allowed the full 60 minutes. Many of Instagram's influencers use IGTV because they can post better content than they could with a 1-minute post.
Start Enjoying These Instagram Features
If you're not already using Instagram, you're missing out on a lot of engaging content. Instagram is a place where content creators and influencers can share ideas and interact with their fans. It's unlike any other platform because it provides the most features and everyone enjoys using them.
You should create an account and start using Instagram today. If you already have one, start taking advantage of the many Instagram features. Once you start following people, you'll be able to view their stories and live streams. You can also start posting your favorite photos and videos.
Browse our articles to learn more about various social media platforms.
You should create an account and start using Instagram today. If you already have one, start taking advantage of the many Instagram features. Once you start following people, you'll be able to view their stories and live streams. You can also start posting your favorite photos and videos.
Browse our articles to learn more about various social media platforms.
