Meaning that, even if Instagram‘s new feature is a shameless copy of Snapchat’s core service, it has 150 million more people it can expect to use it.
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In 2013, Snapchat introduced perhaps its best feature: Stories.
If you’re confused by that, just think Snapchat on Instagram. Then, simply take a photo or record a video by holding down the shutter button (just like Snapchat).
Now, here’s where Instagram comes in… To make it totally clear, Instagram is calling its product Stories too.
Instagram is launching a new feature today called Stories, which lets you share slideshows of photos and videos over the course of your day. As you share multiple photos and videos, they appear together in a slideshow format: your story. The idea was that users could create a collection of photos and video that had a lifespan of 24 hours. We weren’t kidding; it’s exactly like Snapchat Stories.
Unlike regular Instagram posts, Stories won’t appear in your public photo grid.
Instagram account settings allow users to dictate whether stories should be viewable only by followers, and opt to hide them from some.
To view their story users just have to tap on their profile photo. However, this next part is where IG Stories differs from Snapchat Stories.
Unlike your average Instagram post, rather than responding with visible comments or likes, you can interact with your friends’ pictures and videos by sending private messages via the direct inbox.
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One of the central features of Instagram’s stories are that they supply fine detail on who’s watching them by swiping up – and similarly precise controls for stopping certain people doing so. However, users can also select the people they do not want to be able to see their story. Instagram will display users’ Stories at the top of the feed where they will remain for 24 hours before disappearing forever.
