Instagram is definitely one of the greatest companies of the Internet era, and its story – one of the most engaging start-up stories today. The company started by two young entrepreneurs Kevin Systrom and Michel Krieger was sold to Facebook for the whooping of $1 000 000 000, just a few years after its foundation. The story of Instagram is not only a story of ‘how to start a billion dollars company and cash in’, but also it’s a story about faith, persistence, and entrepreneurship. It’s really amazing and you can see it in the following set of images, which were kindly packed and transformed into an infographic by visual.ly.
Instagram’s Story In Images
Before its formation, Instagram’s founders, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger met at Stanford in 2006 and became friends. Systrom was interested in coding and digital photography and Krieger was interested in visual design. In 2008, the pair decided to join forces and started a project called Burbn. The idea was to develop a platform where users could check in to locations and make plans.
After feedback from investors and other tech professionals, the team decided to focus on mobile photography, an area they both knew they had the potential for. Over 10 weeks, Systrom and Krieger redesigned Burbn and integrated it into the app that would become Instagram.
The idea was to create an app that made capturing and sharing images as effortless as possible. It also had features like geo-tagging and the ability to apply a variety of filters to edit photos. Compared to other social networking platforms, Instagram was a groundbreaking app that resonated with users.
The first version of the app was released in October 2010 and instantly gained traction. Within two months, more than 1 million users had signed up and by the end of its first year, the app had 10 million users. By 2018, Instagram had 1 billion active monthly users.
Since its formation, Instagram has been acquired by Facebook and has become a household name. It has integrated into popular culture and influenced people’s lives in many ways. Systrom and Krieger both stepped away from the company in 2018, but their legacy lives on.
Instagram Today
With over 1 billion monthly active users, Instagram has become one of the most important social media platforms of our time. The photo-driven platform offers users a chance to connect, engage and share memorable moments with their friends, family and the wider world.
With its user base continuing to skyrocket, Instagram has become a must-have for businesses, influencers, and artists alike. Not only can it be used to build followers and increase visibility, but also for connecting with potential customers, clients and fans.
It’s no surprise that Instagram is filled with a range of tools and features designed to help users personalize their profiles. You can change your profile picture, add descriptions and adjust the layout of your photos and videos. You can also create stories, highlight collections, and create diverse content, such as Boomerangs, gifs, and videos to keep your audience engaged.
Moreover, Instagram offers ways to monetize your content. Through sponsored posts and products, several influencers and businesses have been able to drive revenue while still creating meaningful connections with their audiences.
As well as facilitating connections, Instagram has become a powerful tool for news publication. On a daily basis, it reaches millions of users who are looking to keep up to date with the latest trends and content.
From its humble beginnings as a platform for filtered visuals, Instagram has grown to something greater than most could have expected. There’s no doubt that it will continue to evolve, connecting communities, and serving as the go-to platform for many users.