This week, Instagram introduced a new dimension to their app, with Instagram Stories – which looks remarkably similar to Snapchat.

Instagram Stories

The new function allows users to post instant photos and video clips (separately to the main feed) that show for a 24-hour period. The posts can be customised with drawings a text and unlike regular posts, there are no likes or public comments. Sound familiar?

People have been calling out the social media platform online for completely copying Snapchat’s concept.

https://twitter.com/RealAdamRose/status/760511508078002176

Even Instagram founder, Kevin Systrom, has openly admitted the idea is not theirs. Speaking with Tech Crunch, he told them: “They

[Snapchat] deserve all the credit”.

So why has the photo sharing platform introduced this new feature?

Well, it is not the first time a social media platform has copied another. Hashtags originated on Twitter but are now used everywhere, Snapchat has “memories” which mirrors Facebook’s “On This Day” concept, and all have played around with the algorithms of their news feeds.

It appears that each platform is simply trying to maximise its user base with tried and tested ideas. Instagram Stories is the same – it is just trying to integrate popular social media functions into one, simple platform. Their introductory blog even says:

“Instagram has always been a place to share the moments you want to remember. Now you can share your highlights and everything in between, too”.

This new function may encourage users to use the app more, with the added ease of having a range of photo-sharing options in one place. Not only will we get to see people’s and companies curated photos, but we will also be able to now see real-time snippets of their lives that are much less ‘staged’.

This new function could open up a whole other way of connecting with users, and it will certainly be interesting to see how this new feature takes off and how brands begin to start using it….

Watch this space!