The majority of you might agree that there is no other social media platform like Instagram. Along with writing and sharing thoughts, the social media network works around sharing videos and images. It would be nothing wrong in claiming that "Instagramming" has officially become a verb now. The cultural powerhouse allows its users to use hashtags on each of their posts and add caption beneath them. Users can also index their positions by adding geotags so that other people can search their posts within the app. On the Instagram feed of a user's followers, each post appears, and other people can also view this post by use of geotags and hashtags. Users also can make their profile private so that their positions can be accessed only by their followers.

Today, with over a billion accounts on the app, Instagram, has become a part of many people's daily life. Everyone is using the app for different purposes, from promoting the startups of new businesses to brand promotion of big firms, Instagram is a platform for everyone.

Instagram features:

Since its launch in 2010, Instagram has significantly grown in terms of its features. The app has launched and added many cool features for its users. Instagram has become a hub for talented people who want to try something new. From photographers to celebrities, musicians and influencers, Instagram has given meaning and a platform to many people. There are many new features added by the app which could provide benefit to all these people. Let us dig into some of the important and exciting features provided by Instagram:

Direct messages

Instagram also has a natural messaging option in addition to commenting on someone's post. You can communicate directly with anyone through DM's if the person is following you. Direct messages also provide you with the option of "message requests" if someone doesn't follow you, send you a message. It also allows you to unsend the message which you have already sent. Once you start the conversation, you can avail yourself of all sorts of unique features like Gifs, sharing an Instagram post via DM's, and liking the message through emojis.

Instagram live

Instagram live is another remarkable feature by Instagram. Through this feature, you can Livestream, and anyone from your followers can watch your live broadcast. The people viewing your Livestream can also comment on it and send heart, which by default would be visible to everyone watching it. You can go live stream at a time for one hour only; once it ends, you will have to start again. Once you create your live stream, all your followers with get a notification.

IGTV (Instagram TV)

IGTV is the best feature for content creators who want to make video-based content. This feature allows the user to share long videos for up to 1 hour. You can watch the uploaded videos and upload one of your own. With more than 80% of businesses using it, IGTV has become one of the fastest-growing content marketing trends.

Instagram stories

The Instagram story feature is one of the most used parts of Instagram. The feature allows customized posts by its users, which disappear after 24 hours. The stories can be a mix of short videos of a few seconds and pictures presented as a slideshow. The users can use all kinds of creative content on stories. Unlike regular posts that only allow captions and filters over the images, the Instagram story feature allows its users to use many exciting things like cartoons, animated stickers, Gifs, polls and quizzes, questions, dynamic song lyrics, and filters.

Instagram Reels

The features allow its users to record a 15 seconds long video and upload it. Instagram reels were built as a rival to Tiktok. Once the user is done recording their video, they can edit it by adding special effects, text, and music like Tiktok. It is a fun and different way to attract followers who can view, like, and comment on your videos.

Instagram and its benefits:

Today, most people focus and talk about the importance of using images for marketing on social media. Images can drive more people and increase engagement. That is why Instagram has become so popular among businesses because it focuses its attention on the photos. you can avail the following benefits if you use the app:

A single app with all the features needed

In a single smartphone app, the combination of photo sharing, video, and social networking gives users the chance to represent scenes, sell goods and even attempt to capture an emotion in the photos they upload to the web. It forces the consumer, business, or person to be more imaginative and innovative with the images they use to create a feeling vital to themselves, their brand, or their company. The focus is so much more on the pictures.

A large audience for your business

Since Instagram has more than 400 million active users, this increases your chance of reaching a maximum audience of all ages viewing your content. A lot of people could be reached through hashtags. People searching for a similar hashtag would end up finding your content. They can then engage on your posts through commenting, liking, and saving them.

Free advertising through Instagram

Posting and creating content on Instagram is completely free of cost until you want to invest in it. It is an entirely open platform through which you can advertise your business, product, or services. All you need is an excellent camera to take pictures of your content, and you are good to go. Your photographs will attract an audience that will possibly buy something from you or avail of your services.

Pros and Cons

Advantages:

A good digital platform

The main reason for using Instagram by many people is sharing photos. You can share whatever you do and where ever you go. The platform allows the users to use filters to enhance their beauty, adding more charm to the picture.

Marketing

Today many people use Instagram more for marketing than connecting with people. It is an excellent platform for startups for marketing and for promoting their brand. Many artists, musicians, dancers, singers share and promote their talent via Instagram.

Privacy

When compared to other social media apps, Instagram has the best privacy policy for its users. Anyone who doesn't want everyone to view their post will keep their profile private, which cannot be bypassed anyway.

Disadvantages:

Advertisements

Advertisements can pop up after every few posts, which can be very annoying; many users lose their interest and switch to other apps.

Technical barriers

Instagram provides its users with many features, but sadly, it has a lot of technical limitations. The privacy setting is global, which cannot be changed for any individual's photos. Other than that, unlike Facebook, its images are unsuitable for different shapes.

No copywrites

Although Instagram can provide your content to a larger audience however it has a particular disadvantage, the content you post can be stolen by anyone and presented as their own. Sadly, Instagram has no policy for copywriting content.

Conclusion:

Instagram is an image and video sharing app that has become very popular among people. The app nowadays is also used for promoting businesses and services. Instagram is a platform for new talent and creative people. Although the app has certain disadvantages, however, it has more benefits. It is a good platform for interacting with new people and sharing your content in different ways via the features of Instagram.