11 Facts About Instagram: Explore The Less Known

Instagram Camera Icon (Credit: Pixabay)

Since its launch, Instagram has developed into a significant social media network with billions of users sharing life events, companies creating brands, and influencers setting trends. However, there are a lot of unknowns that lie beneath the surface of Instagram, even for the most experienced users. We all know about the "Like" button, Stories, and Reels but did you know that Instagram was once something completely different???.....Or that millions of posts are published on Instagram every day, a staggering level of activity???.....Hold on tight, because these 11 Instagram facts will definitely catch you off guard.

1. Instagram’s Original Name Was "Burbn": Instagram was formerly called as "Burbn," but it is difficult to picture it as anything other than what it is now. Originally a location-based check-in software with photo-sharing capabilities, it was introduced in 2010 by co-founders Mike Krieger and Kevin Systrom. With a distinctive twist, the concept was influenced by check-in websites such as Foursquare but over time, Systrom and Krieger discovered that the feature that consumers were most interested in was the photo-sharing capability and in order to represent the application's real-time photo sharing, they chose to rename it Instagram in 2011. This name combines the words "instant" and "telegram."

2. Instagram’s First Photo: Kevin Systrom shared the first photo ever posted to Instagram where the informal photograph, which showed a dog sitting next to a right foot, captured the most basic, experimental essence of the early years and despite its humble appearance, this basic photo served as the catalyst for a worldwide craze which acts like a fond remembrance of Instagram's modest beginnings and is a far cry from the carefully well-maintained, well-curated feeds we see today.

3. Instagram's “Likes” Were Once Just "Hearts": The heart sign was used to express gratitude for postings on Instagram prior to the widespread adoption of the "Like" button. The choice of the heart icon was not coincidental; rather, it was intended to be more inclusive and upbeat than Facebook's "Like" thumbs up. The goal was to design a symbol that conveyed warmth, affection, and positive interaction. Even if Instagram's features have changed over time, the heart-shaped icon is still one of the most recognisable images on social media.

4. The Most Liked Instagram Photo: Leo Messi is the current holder of the record for the most liked Instagram photo ever where Messi posted a picture on December 19ᵗʰ, 2022, commemorating his FIFA World Cup victory. It received an incredible 74 million+ likes, making it the most liked photo on Instagram. Numerous other viral moments were eclipsed by this record-breaking post, demonstrating the continuing appeal of sports stars like Messi and their capacity to win over millions of fans.

5. Instagram Has Over 2 Billion Monthly Active Users: Instagram is one of the most widely used social media networks worldwide, with over 2 billion active users as of early 2023. The application's constantly growing user base demonstrates how widely used it is in everyday life, from professional branding to informal photo sharing and all points in between. It is evident that Instagram is a cultural mainstay rather than merely a sensation.

6. Instagram Was Bought By Facebook For $1 Billion in 2012: Instagram's promise was evident when it was originally introduced in 2010, but its future was unclear and after just two years, Facebook paid $1 billion to acquire Instagram. Although the purchase was viewed as being risky by many critics at the time, it ended up being one of the best choices in tech history whereby with additional features like Stories, Reels, and more, Instagram expanded rapidly under Facebook's control, solidifying its position as one of the most popular social media networks globally.

7. Instagram Initially Did Not Have a Video-Sharing Feature: When Instagram first started out, it was only for photos and before introducing a 15-second video-sharing function in 2013, the platform restricted the ability of users to share videos but this change increased Instagram's usefulness and gave both users and brands access to a whole new range of creative opportunities not forgetting that Instagram's dominance in the social media space was further cemented in 2016 when it introduced Stories and lengthier video capabilities.

8. Instagram’s Explore Page is Personalised: Have you ever wondered how Instagram seems to understand your exact preferences???.....Sophisticated machine learning techniques are used on the Explore page to customize content to your individual preferences. Instagram will suggest content based on your previous interactions, searches, and likes, even if you have not followed that particular account. Your Explore page will therefore present a customised feed of content that you are likely to find interesting, regardless of your interests in fashion, food, or fitness.

9. 95 Million Posts Are Shared Daily on Instagram: Every day, Instagram receives an extraordinary amount of activity whereby, on average, over 95 million posts (including images, Stories, and Reels) are shared which shows how lively and busy the Instagram community is, and that is an incredible quantity of content, thus, Instagram is still one of the most popular social media sites worldwide, whether it is a meme, a motivational saying, or a well-chosen lifestyle photo.

10. Instagram Has a Hidden “Collections” Feature: Did you know that you may save posts on Instagram in private using a hidden feature???.....Users can save and arrange posts they find interesting into private boards, similar to Pinterest, using a function called "Collections" which may help you keep everything in one location, whether you are organising your wardrobe, getting ideas for a future vacation, or storing delicious meal idea, making it a straightforward yet incredibly powerful method of selecting content for individual use.

11. Instagram Uses an Algorithm to Determine Your Feed: Instagram's purely chronological feed is a thing of the past, instead, the platform now determines what you see and when you see it using an advanced algorithm whereby the system considers things like the amount of interaction a post receives, the frequency of interactions with a specific account, and even the kind of content you like. Because of this, your feed is now more tailored than ever, displaying the posts that Instagram believes you will find most interesting based on your browsing history.

Summary: The Development of Instagram and Its Secrets

Instagram is becoming much more than just a photo-sharing app. Instagram has influenced how we connect, share, and engage online since its modest beginnings as "Burbn" and has grown to become one of the most widely used platforms worldwide, undoubtedly becoming a crucial component of the digital world, regardless of whether you are a brand trying to make an impression, a social media influencer, or a casual user. We have gained insight into the inner workings of a platform that continues to influence business, culture, and individual expression in ways we might not always completely understand through exploring these little-known facts about Instagram. Therefore, keep in mind these little-known facts and elements that contribute to Instagram's current dynamic nature the next time you browse through your feed.