Originally created for the iPhone, Instagram is an online photo sharing application that lets users upload and share photos, videos and GIFs. It's free to download and use on most smartphones. Instagram also supports Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social networking platforms. It's a great way to connect with people and brands.
Before Instagram, sending and receiving photos was limited to a telegram or other instant messaging application. Now, Instagram has a variety of features to help you manage your account. It is one of the most popular social media sites, with over 1 billion active users in June 2021. It is also used as a tool for advertising and marketing.
It's easy to navigate with your smartphone. You can access the app through the App Store or Google Play. The "Home" tab is like a newsfeed, showing photos from the accounts you follow. The Explore tab is like a search engine for posts on Instagram that interest you.
You can use filters to enhance your photos. You can also adjust brightness and contrast. You can also add a vignette effect or fade the photos. Some filters also add a vintage look. Some filters even allow you to add tilt shifts to your photos.
You can search for other users by typing their usernames into the search field. You can also view the profiles of other users by going to the "Discovery" tab. You can also search for people to follow. Some people use Instagram to share their favorite photos, while others use it as a way to build their personal brand.
You can also use hashtags to search for posts. It's a great way to find posts by topic, which makes it easy to find other people on Instagram. If you see a post that interests you, you can like it or follow it. You can also comment on a post to show your appreciation. You can even send a direct message to someone you'd like to follow.
Instagram also has a feature that allows you to live stream a video. This feature is called Instagram Stories. You can broadcast multiple videos and photos in a short amount of time. You can also edit Stories with stickers and doodles. The story will disappear after 24 hours.
You can also use Instagram to search for products. Each product has a name, price and photo. You can then buy the item through Instagram. You can also find out what other people think about a product by looking at its photos and videos. It's a great way to learn about a product without having to buy it.
Instagram is also popular because of its photo editing features. Its filters allow you to change your photo's color, sharpness, brightness, and contrast. You can also add a vintage look by adjusting the color of the highlights and shadows. There are also photo-tuning tools that help you adjust the contrast and saturation of your photo.