Instagram: Visual Social Media Cultures
@instagrambook.bsky.social
A Bluesky account about a book about Instagram, written by Tama Leaver, Tim Highfield and Crystal Abidin, published by the fine folks at Polity Press.
Here we try and keep on top of the many, many changes to Instagram as a platform, & its many cultures.
Here we try and keep on top of the many, many changes to Instagram as a platform, & its many cultures.
Instagram hits 3 billion monthly users www.theverge.com/news/784784/...
Or to put it a different way: there are as many people using Instagram each month as the were people on the planet Earth in 1960.
Or to put it a different way: there are as many people using Instagram each month as the were people on the planet Earth in 1960.
Instagram hits 3 billion monthly users
Meta is now looking to drive growth further by testing changes for DMs and Reels.
www.theverge.com
September 25, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Instagram hits 3 billion monthly users www.theverge.com/news/784784/...
Or to put it a different way: there are as many people using Instagram each month as the were people on the planet Earth in 1960.
Or to put it a different way: there are as many people using Instagram each month as the were people on the planet Earth in 1960.
Two years later, Meta is making DMs on Threads official www.engadget.com/social-media...
Two years later, Meta is making DMs on Threads official
Meta is rolling out direct messaging abilities to all Threads users after a brief test earlier this month.
www.engadget.com
July 3, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Two years later, Meta is making DMs on Threads official www.engadget.com/social-media...
Hasn't been for a long time ...
Instagram isn’t just for square photos anymore www.theverge.com/news/676549/...
Instagram isn’t just for square photos anymore www.theverge.com/news/676549/...
Instagram isn’t just for square photos anymore
Post your 3:4 photos.
www.theverge.com
May 30, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Hasn't been for a long time ...
Instagram isn’t just for square photos anymore www.theverge.com/news/676549/...
Instagram isn’t just for square photos anymore www.theverge.com/news/676549/...
Instagram Teen Accounts still exposed to sexual content, investigation finds mashable.com/article/inst...
Instagram Teen Accounts still exposed to sexual content, investigation finds
The app's tighter controls are apparently not blocking explicit posts.
mashable.com
May 21, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Instagram Teen Accounts still exposed to sexual content, investigation finds mashable.com/article/inst...
The only time anyone accuses Mark Zuckerberg of having real human emotions is Systrom explaining why Zuck acted like a petulant child after buying Instagram and then starving it of resources for a period of time since it was growing faster than his own Facebook app!
www.theverge.com/news/646809/...
www.theverge.com/news/646809/...
April 23, 2025 at 1:35 AM
The only time anyone accuses Mark Zuckerberg of having real human emotions is Systrom explaining why Zuck acted like a petulant child after buying Instagram and then starving it of resources for a period of time since it was growing faster than his own Facebook app!
www.theverge.com/news/646809/...
www.theverge.com/news/646809/...
Instagram will use AI to identify teens using adult accounts mashable.com/article/inst...
Instagram will use AI to identify teens using adult accounts
When it comes to Instagram, many teens aren't truthful about their age.
mashable.com
April 23, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Instagram will use AI to identify teens using adult accounts mashable.com/article/inst...
Instagram launches its CapCut clone, Edits www.theverge.com/news/653136/...
Instagram launches its CapCut clone, Edits
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
www.theverge.com
April 23, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Instagram launches its CapCut clone, Edits www.theverge.com/news/653136/...
Reposted by Instagram: Visual Social Media Cultures
In the Trump era, could Meta really be forced to sell Instagram? We'll see...
"Meanwhile, in recent weeks, Zuckerberg has personally lobbied Trump to drop the FTC lawsuit. The agency’s chair, Andrew Ferguson, recently suggested that he would obey such an order from Trump."
www.theverge.com/pol...
"Meanwhile, in recent weeks, Zuckerberg has personally lobbied Trump to drop the FTC lawsuit. The agency’s chair, Andrew Ferguson, recently suggested that he would obey such an order from Trump."
www.theverge.com/pol...
Meta goes to trial to avoid a breakup of Instagram and WhatsApp
Zuckerberg and Sandberg are expected to testify.
www.theverge.com
April 13, 2025 at 4:26 AM
In the Trump era, could Meta really be forced to sell Instagram? We'll see...
"Meanwhile, in recent weeks, Zuckerberg has personally lobbied Trump to drop the FTC lawsuit. The agency’s chair, Andrew Ferguson, recently suggested that he would obey such an order from Trump."
www.theverge.com/pol...
"Meanwhile, in recent weeks, Zuckerberg has personally lobbied Trump to drop the FTC lawsuit. The agency’s chair, Andrew Ferguson, recently suggested that he would obey such an order from Trump."
www.theverge.com/pol...
ChatGPT beats Instagram, TikTok to become the world’s most downloaded app www.moneycontrol.com/technology/c...
www.moneycontrol.com
April 13, 2025 at 4:26 AM
ChatGPT beats Instagram, TikTok to become the world’s most downloaded app www.moneycontrol.com/technology/c...
Reposted by Instagram: Visual Social Media Cultures
13 years ago #Instagram users were very angry that Facebook purchased Instagram, worrying it would destroy what was unique about the app and the visual culture it was building.
It turns out those concerns were very justified.
It turns out those concerns were very justified.
April 11, 2025 at 3:37 AM
13 years ago #Instagram users were very angry that Facebook purchased Instagram, worrying it would destroy what was unique about the app and the visual culture it was building.
It turns out those concerns were very justified.
It turns out those concerns were very justified.
Instagram reportedly coming to iPad after long delay www.techinasia.com/news/instagr...
Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem
www.techinasia.com
April 10, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Instagram reportedly coming to iPad after long delay www.techinasia.com/news/instagr...
Expanding Teen Accounts to FB and Messenger is a welcome move, but there's still much to do.
And an uptake of 54million teen accounts when there's more than a billion Instagram accounts shows the uptake of teen accounts isn't huge as of yet!
about.fb.com/news/2025/04...
And an uptake of 54million teen accounts when there's more than a billion Instagram accounts shows the uptake of teen accounts isn't huge as of yet!
about.fb.com/news/2025/04...
We’re Introducing New Built-In Restrictions for Instagram Teen Accounts, and Expanding to Facebook and Messenger | Meta
We're announcing additional protections and expanding Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger to give parents more peace of mind across Meta apps.
about.fb.com
April 9, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Expanding Teen Accounts to FB and Messenger is a welcome move, but there's still much to do.
And an uptake of 54million teen accounts when there's more than a billion Instagram accounts shows the uptake of teen accounts isn't huge as of yet!
about.fb.com/news/2025/04...
And an uptake of 54million teen accounts when there's more than a billion Instagram accounts shows the uptake of teen accounts isn't huge as of yet!
about.fb.com/news/2025/04...
Instagram is beefing up its search to compete with TikTok techcrunch.com/2025/04/08/i...
Instagram is beefing up its search to compete with TikTok | TechCrunch
Instagram head Adam Mosseri says the company is looking to improve the app's search functionality, admitting this is an area where Instagram could do more
techcrunch.com
April 9, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Instagram is beefing up its search to compete with TikTok techcrunch.com/2025/04/08/i...
One feature no one really liked or used retired after less than a year ...
No more ‘notes’ on Instagram posts. www.theverge.com/news/636727/...
No more ‘notes’ on Instagram posts. www.theverge.com/news/636727/...
March 27, 2025 at 2:54 AM
One feature no one really liked or used retired after less than a year ...
No more ‘notes’ on Instagram posts. www.theverge.com/news/636727/...
No more ‘notes’ on Instagram posts. www.theverge.com/news/636727/...
In the US, Instagram is rolling out specific support for middle & high schools in reporting & addressing (via resources) bullying & other issues that might be amplified by social media.
Instagram’s School Partnership Program – Prioritized Reporting to Help Students cyberbullying.org/instagram-sc...
Instagram’s School Partnership Program – Prioritized Reporting to Help Students cyberbullying.org/instagram-sc...
Instagram’s School Partnership Program – Prioritized Reporting to Help Students - Cyberbullying Research Center
Schools can now have Instagram prioritize reports they make of student-involved incidents on the platform to receive a faster response and resolution. Here's how.
cyberbullying.org
March 26, 2025 at 4:37 AM
In the US, Instagram is rolling out specific support for middle & high schools in reporting & addressing (via resources) bullying & other issues that might be amplified by social media.
Instagram’s School Partnership Program – Prioritized Reporting to Help Students cyberbullying.org/instagram-sc...
Instagram’s School Partnership Program – Prioritized Reporting to Help Students cyberbullying.org/instagram-sc...
Things that feel inevitable when you reduce moderation on your platform ...
Instagram Reels flooded with violent videos before Meta says it fixed error www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Instagram Reels flooded with violent videos before Meta says it fixed error www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Instagram Reels flooded with violent videos before Meta says it fixed error
Users complained of ‘not safe for work’ videos in feeds despite some having enabled setting to filter such content
www.theguardian.com
February 28, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Things that feel inevitable when you reduce moderation on your platform ...
Instagram Reels flooded with violent videos before Meta says it fixed error www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Instagram Reels flooded with violent videos before Meta says it fixed error www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Instagram’s Reels may get its own app
Planning ahead for TikTok’s potential demise in the US.
www.theverge.com
February 28, 2025 at 1:26 AM
A private signal that some comments/commenters should be less visible for that user makes sense (it's NOT a public dislike button).
Instagram starts testing new button that might downrank comments www.theverge.com/news/613143/...
Instagram starts testing new button that might downrank comments www.theverge.com/news/613143/...
Instagram starts testing new button that might downrank comments
The button is a downward-facing arrow.
www.theverge.com
February 16, 2025 at 2:53 AM
A private signal that some comments/commenters should be less visible for that user makes sense (it's NOT a public dislike button).
Instagram starts testing new button that might downrank comments www.theverge.com/news/613143/...
Instagram starts testing new button that might downrank comments www.theverge.com/news/613143/...
Reposted by Instagram: Visual Social Media Cultures
It's worse that users have no way to opt out of their DMs being fed to MetaAI by others they're talking to.
February 12, 2025 at 4:37 AM
It's worse that users have no way to opt out of their DMs being fed to MetaAI by others they're talking to.
Reposted by Instagram: Visual Social Media Cultures
It's poor form that end-to-end encryption on Instagram DMs (and presumably all Meta apps) is lost if anyone in the conversation mentions/uses Meta AI on relation to that msg (eg summarising it!).
February 12, 2025 at 4:37 AM
It's poor form that end-to-end encryption on Instagram DMs (and presumably all Meta apps) is lost if anyone in the conversation mentions/uses Meta AI on relation to that msg (eg summarising it!).
And Threads continues to turn into ... every other Meta product.
Threads adds dedicated media tab to display photos and videos www.socialsamosa.com/news-2/threa...
Threads adds dedicated media tab to display photos and videos www.socialsamosa.com/news-2/threa...
Threads adds dedicated media tab to display photos and videos
The update will allow users to view all photos and videos posted by an account in a separate section. This brings Threads in line with competitors such as X and Bluesky, which already offer similar fu...
www.socialsamosa.com
February 1, 2025 at 3:18 AM
And Threads continues to turn into ... every other Meta product.
Threads adds dedicated media tab to display photos and videos www.socialsamosa.com/news-2/threa...
Threads adds dedicated media tab to display photos and videos www.socialsamosa.com/news-2/threa...
Blocked: Facebook and Instagram users frustrated by account shutdowns www.choice.com.au/electronics-...
Facebook and Instagram users frustrated by account shutdowns | CHOICE
Customers whose accounts are suspended without explanation are angry with the social media giant, Meta, for failing to provide an explanation or respond to inquiries.
www.choice.com.au
January 30, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Blocked: Facebook and Instagram users frustrated by account shutdowns www.choice.com.au/electronics-...
"Meta will pay $25 million ... $22 million of Meta’s payment will go toward a fund for Trump’s presidential library. The remainder will go toward “legal fees and the other plaintiffs who signed onto the case,” per the report."
variety.com/2025/digital...
variety.com/2025/digital...
Meta to Pay Trump $25 Million to Settle 2021 Lawsuit Over His Facebook and Instagram Ban
Meta agreed to pay $25 million to settle Donald Trump's lawsuit over the company's 2021 suspension of his Facebook and Instagram accounts,
variety.com
January 30, 2025 at 10:03 AM
"Meta will pay $25 million ... $22 million of Meta’s payment will go toward a fund for Trump’s presidential library. The remainder will go toward “legal fees and the other plaintiffs who signed onto the case,” per the report."
variety.com/2025/digital...
variety.com/2025/digital...
"Meta AI can now use your Facebook and Instagram data to personalize its responses" techcrunch.com/2025/01/27/m...
Meta AI can now use your Facebook and Instagram data to personalize its responses | TechCrunch
Meta says it is rolling out improvements to Meta AI, including the ability to tap profile data from Meta's various apps.
techcrunch.com
January 29, 2025 at 9:55 AM
"Meta AI can now use your Facebook and Instagram data to personalize its responses" techcrunch.com/2025/01/27/m...
I'm quitting Instagram. You should too.
Mark Zuckerberg's horrible changes for Instagram — and Facebook — have become untenable, writes Lennon Torres. mashable.com/article/quit...
Mark Zuckerberg's horrible changes for Instagram — and Facebook — have become untenable, writes Lennon Torres. mashable.com/article/quit...
I'm quitting Instagram. You should too.
Mark Zuckerberg's horrible changes for Instagram — and Facebook — have become untenable, writes Lennon Torres.
mashable.com
January 27, 2025 at 2:36 AM
I'm quitting Instagram. You should too.
Mark Zuckerberg's horrible changes for Instagram — and Facebook — have become untenable, writes Lennon Torres. mashable.com/article/quit...
Mark Zuckerberg's horrible changes for Instagram — and Facebook — have become untenable, writes Lennon Torres. mashable.com/article/quit...