Instagram is a social network that has distinguished itself from others of its kind with its mobile-first, image-oriented style. Rather than writing text posts, Instagram is designed around uploading images and short videos to your profile. It may take some time to get used to its format, but with practice, it’s a great way to socialize with friends.
Getting Started
First, you will need to install Instagram on your phone. While there is a website available, its capabilities are limited compared to those of the mobile app. Most Android and Apple phones are capable of using Instagram. Go to your phone’s app store and download the Instagram app and open it to get started.
Once the app is opened, you can register for an account. This includes choosing a username and password, entering some basic contact information. A profile picture is also requested, either taken live or uploaded from your photo gallery. You can also link your Facebook profile to connect with friends who have already joined Instagram.
Creating Posts
Once your account is created, you can capture and upload photos and videos to your account. Instagram has a variety of filters that can be applied to your photos to add some special flair. You can also give your uploads a short text description, as well as tags that help identify the content of the video.
Search for Posts
Instagram also lets you find and view other people’s content. The search tab can be used to find either specific users or any post with a specific tab. Once you find a post, you can give it a like or add a comment. Posts also link directly to their creator’s profile, which gives you the option to follow them.
Instagram Followers
By following someone, they are added to the personal feed on the front page of the app. This way, you can be among the first to see their content without having to search for their profile page again. Following users also lets you access their private profiles. When a profile is made private, it can only be viewed by people that have followed and have been accepted by the profile’s owner. Making your profile private is a great way to ensure that only those you trust can see the content you upload.
Special Features
Another major feature of Instagram is stories. Unlike normal posts, content uploaded to your feed disappears after 24 hours. These posts are accessible at the top of the home screen, separate from the normal feed. Stories have the same photo and video editing features of normal posts, so feel free to be creative with uploads to your story.
If you see an interesting or inspiring post that you want to save for later, you can save it using the bookmarking feature. This saves it to a private section of your profile that only you can view. Some third-party apps support reposting other people’s posts on your account; however, this is not an official feature.
Networking With Friends
Friends can be contacted by tagging them in your posts, sending them a notification in the process. For more private interactions, however, Instagram Direct can be used. This feature allows for direct messaging between any two people without making the conversation public.