Instagram?

What is Instagram?...

Instagram is an image based social media outlet, available on iOS and Android devices. Since co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger introduced the app in 2010 Instagram has surely come a long way with other 50 million users. Instagram's growing success is amazing and in 2012 when the app was launched on Android its success led it to earn 5 million downloads in just 6 days. On the whole the app has been a raging success because it has remained simple, straightforward and social from the get go.

The apps main appeal is its ability to edit users images with a variety of different filters which can make a photo appear more professional by enhanching the colours or dulling the light to a soft glow to give an aged vintage look. Ofcourse the app has many other appealing factors.

Instagram allows users to:

1. Set up a personal profile - Where you can establish your own instagram identity and style.

2. Recieve Notifications - Instagram will inform you when any other users are connecting with your instagram profile in terms of requesting to follow your page and recieve your uploads, hearting your uploaded images and commenting on those images. 

3. Connect to Social media - You can now have your social media accounts connected and allow other outlets such as facebook to share your new instagram post. This allows your upload to reach a wider audience along various media outlets.

4. Video - Instagram has now moved on from simple still images and we can now add videos up to 15 seconds long. There are also other apps available that will condense your videos to fit into 15 seconds if they are longer by speeding them up. 

5. Follow users - Instagram allows for us to connect with all other users by simply clicking the button. 

Instagram in Media and Public Relations

Overall Instagram is a hugely successful social media tool and has proven to keep people connected all over the world. This means that it is a great asset to the world of media and public relations.

Instagram allows for public relations professionals to analyse another form of social media and see what their followers and competitors are saying. It also gives a wider audience to reach out to. Connecting through instagram means that through multimedia  we can have a more personal connection with the audience then through simple text.



Bibliography...

Buck, S. (2012) The Beginners guide to Instagram. Available at: http://mashable.com/2012/05/29/instagram-for-beginners/#LhPKY05Xv8qp [Accessed 19 October 2016]

Trotman, R. (2014) What is Instagram? Here let us explain. Available at: http://lifestylesdefined.com/what-is-instagram-here-let-us-explain/ [Accessed 19 October 2016]