Young people are almost always talking about Instagram. What is it? Well, it is not new and it is becoming increasingly popular by the day. Instagram is a social network where people can share videos and photos using their smartphones.
Introduction to Instagram
Just like Twitter and Facebook, you will have a newsfeed and a profile once you create Instagram. When you share a video or photo, it appears on your profile and your followers can see it on their feed. In the same way, you will see videos and photos from people you follow.
Users can interact on Instagram, as is the case with other social platforms. You can follow people and get followers, private messages, like, tag and comment. If you see a photo you like, you can save it too.
What Devices Work with Instagram?
It is a free app that you can download for free on your iPad, iPhone and Android devices. You can also access Instagram using your computer via the web. However, you will not be able to share existing content or upload new content. That can only be done via the mobile app.
Creating an Instagram Account
To use Instagram, you have to create an account first—it is free. Sign up either through email or your Facebook account. You will need a password and username.
When you first sign up, you will be prompted to follow your Facebook friends on Instagram. Skip through or follow them if you like.
You may want to customize your Instagram profile first. Add a photo, name, website link and a short bio. You will need to follow people and get followers to make the experience interesting. And people will be skeptical if you don’t have anything to show who you are.
Instagram as a Social Network
The main purpose of Instagram is to share photos and videos. Everyone wants to see and share the most appealing posts. Your user profile shows how many people you follow and how many follow you. If you want to follow someone, tap the follow button. If their profile is private, you will have to wait until they approve.
To interact with people, like their photos by double-tapping or add a comment below the post.
For follow suggestions, touch the search tab and you will see recommended users just for you.
Editing Instagram Posts
Instagram allows you to edit your photos before posting using a number of filters. You can take a video or photo via the app or upload from your gallery. You have 50 filters to choose from and other photo editing options.
Sharing Instagram Posts
Once you are satisfied with your edits, you can move to the next tab and write a caption, post to other socials, tag a location and tag a user.
Finally, publish the photo so your followers can see and interact with the post.
Instagram Stories
The Stories feature is at the top of the feed (the circles you see with other users’ names). Tap the circles to view a story.