The Evolution of Instagram: How It Became a Social Media Powerhouse

In October 2010, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger launched a simple photo-sharing app that would take the world by storm: Instagram. Today, the platform is home to over a billion monthly users worldwide and is one of the world’s most used applications to share aesthetic images of people’s daily lives.

But how did Instagram grow from its humble start-up status to one of the world’s most-used social media apps? In this blog, we’ll explore the evolution of Instagram and how it has become a social media powerhouse.

It All Began with a Desire to Share Content Around the World

Like most social media apps, Systrom and Krieger were motivated to create a place where people could share their photos no matter where their adventures took them. When it first was available in the app store, users could download the application, snap a photo, apply a filter, and post for the world to see. However, only two years after their impressive launch, the founders were in a position to be bought by another major platform: Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook.

Facebook’s Acquisition: A Turning Point for Content Creation on IG

In 2012, Instagram was in talks with Twitter to sell their application for a staggering $525 million, but soon, Facebook entered the chat. Mark Zuckerberg and his team offered a whopping $1 billion for the application, closing the deal and soon deciding to monetize the content that users could see and share on the platform.

The Rise of Monetized Content, Influencers, and E-Commerce

When Systrom and Krieger left the helm as Instagram's owners, the app continued to undergo significant changes and upgrades, including video sharing, Stories, and fifteen-second videos launched in 2013 to increase user engagement. Not only did these new content creation features expand the platform's capability, but then Instagram began to become the home of many influencers.

The Future of Instagram: Moving Beyond Reels, IGTV, and Into Uncharted Territory

Today, the app continues to be a beacon of revolutionary content creation, from Reels to Explore pages to personalized feeds. Although the algorithm continues to change as Facebook’s (now Meta’s) team continues to find new ways to enhance user experience, the platform is the same as it always was: a place for users to share videos and photos and connect with their friends.

Instagram Remains a Formidable Social Media Platform for All

From its humble start as a photo-sharing app to its newfound use as the home for many monetized posts, influencer marketing campaigns, and more, Instagram continues to be used by millions of citizens worldwide. And—best of all—the app shows no signs of slowing down! In the future, we can’t wait to see what new and exciting features Instagram decides to implement next.