Following in the footsteps of Facebook, Instagram has reached the milestone of 800 million monthly users worldwide. The latest development has brought the photo-sharing app close to the total population of Germany in just six years of its initial release that was appeared exclusively for iOS devices back in October 2010.
Instagram has added as many as a hundred million monthly active users since April. Of the total userbase, five hundred million users are actively using the app on a daily basis. This is nearly three times more than the 173 million daily active users on Snapchat.
"Since the beginning, we've tried to make Instagram a welcoming place for everyone. Our community has grown to 800 million, with 500 million using it every day," the company writes in a blog post.
Exponential growth
American entrepreneur Kevin Systrom co-developed Instagram with Brazilian software engineer Mike Krieger in 2010 as a free mobile app to let users share pictures and videos with one tap. The app garnered a million registered users in two months and 10 million in a year after its launch.
In April 2012, Facebook acquired Instagram for US$1 billion. That acquisition was a strategic move by the social networking giant after closely observing the growth potential of the photo-sharing app.
Facebook's deal empowered Instagram to launch features such as Instagram Direct and Stories that are aiming to counter Snapchat. The app even recently enabled tweaks like face filters in live videos to persuade more mobile users.
New enhancements to improve commenting system
Ever since the launch of Instagram, it's been available as an open platform to let users build new fans and followers for the images they share. But with the growth of trolls over the Web, people started trolling even on apps like Instagram. Abusive comments are also quite common on the platform.
Therefore, Instagram has now been enabling users with the ability to limit comment on their posts. You can select who can comment -- from everyone to just groups of people, like people you follow or your followers. Additionally, you can block other accounts from passing comments on your posts.
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Instagram brought a filter to block certain offensive comments in English back in June. That option has now also been expanded to users with languages including Arabic, French, German and Portuguese.
To give a boost to inspiring comments on its platform, Instagram is also set to transform walls in global cities into colourful murals. You can use hashtag #KindComments with a photo or video shared from those walls to make your loved ones smiling. Furthermore, a new kindness-themed sticker is available in a heart shape to make your creations lovable.
All the new changes planned by Instagram are certainly aimed to enhance its existing userbase. These advancements may help the app reach a billion users in the coming months. This would ultimately enable Facebook with another strong platform to serve advertisements.
Instagram presently has a base of over two million advertisers that leverage the platform with various photo, video, carousel and stories adverts.
