The social media platform Instagram has been making some interesting changes lately that users, businesses, and marketers should quickly take note of. That’s why we’re following the latest developments to keep you in the know and up to date.
The latest updates focus on partnering with popular consumer apps that are sure to make Instagram Stores a lot more fun. The goal is to bring even more context to Stories in order to engage audiences and encourage them to share more. To begin, the integration of Spotify and GoPro hope to do just that with their new Instagram sharing buttons.
So, what does this mean for the user? Basically, it means that if you’re using the Spotify or GoPro app, you can now tap the respective share buttons to send your content to Instagram Stories. From there, you can edit, add to your story or send it as a direct message. Spotify will even post a link to your current playlist or specific songs that you want to share.
Instagram has also updated their branded AR filters. Though these filters have been in the app for a while, the social sharing platform is now expanding their AR filters’ gallery by teaming up with celebrities and brands who will be able to create their own. It’s all just another way to allow users to create, explore and build relationships. And, speaking of relationships, Instagram is making it easier than ever to build meaningful relationships with followers as they reveal a whole new Explore page as well as a Video calling feature.
As you can see, there’s a lot of exciting things happening with the Instagram team. So, let’s dive a little deeper into the latest updates, and take a closer look at each new feature:
Spotify: Good for Concert Venues & Musicians
People share the music they’re listening to all the time on Instagram Stories. So, this latest feature is a natural upgrade that fulfills an existing user need. But, the Spotify integration is also great news for musicians and music brands, as it makes way for more organic sharing. Through the Spotify share button, users’ favorite artists, musicians, brands, concert venues and more can creatively re-engage audiences or share new information, like singles, albums, etc., immediately and on a wider scale.
GoPro: Shared Travel Made Easier
While the GoPro app already has many different options for social sharing, this latest Instagram integration will really boost those capabilities. No longer do you have to wait for lengthy file transfers; now you can share videos and images from your GoPro directly to Instagram Stories. This is a huge opportunity for brands and influencers to share their content in real time and engage with their audiences in real time.
AR Filters: Influencers & Branding
Instagram’s AR filters have also been in the app for a while. So far, they’ve mostly been used to share selfies and silly photos. But now, Instagram has announced an expansion to their current AR filters’ gallery where they’re teaming up with celebrities, influencers, and brands who will create their own AR filters for followers to use. Brands and public figures will now be able to build their own AR filters that will be made available specifically to users who follow their feeds. You’ll also be able to use the custom filters when you see them in your friends’ Instagram stories.
In terms of branding, this means that influencers in the fashion industry can create AR filters that allow users to “try on” products. This same concept can be applied to the cosmetics industry, the travel industry and so on, and so on. The possibilities are endless.
Building Relationships: Instagram Explore
Instagram’s Explore page is getting a fresh new look and giving users the ability to follow specific hashtags, making it easier than ever to discover posts. They’re doing this by adding feature buttons at the top of the page in a carousel where users can click on categories, like photography, travel, and architecture, to see more posts about a specific topic of interest. For individual users, this means that they can spend more time engaged in the app, as they’ll be spending less time hunting down interesting content. For businesses and marketers alike, this means more opportunity to get in front of customers, with more ease and with more chance of disseminating a particular message.
Communication & Engagement: Video Calling
Finally, Instagram users will be thrilled that video calls are being integrated into the app. This means that users from around the world will soon be able to chat with one another through Instagram, in real time. After the success of video Stories, this feature is a natural progression that will allow users, celebrities, influencers, and brands to further engage in real time with their audiences. For individual users and businesses alike, it’s just another creative way to strike up a conversation to tell viewers and followers that you appreciate them and that you’re not just a shadowy figure hiding behind a keypad.
With all of these latest Instagram updates, it will be interesting to see how users react to them and how businesses choose to incorporate them into their marketing strategies. There have never been more ways to drive engagement and receive immediate feedback. So, don’t be afraid to get creative; it’s time to get to know your audience on a more personal level.
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