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DISCLAIMER: While this article does contain factual and statistical data, the messages conveyed are my perspectives and not the only truth.
I posted this article on Tealfeed first and I decided to share here as well, an overview of the reasons why I believe Instagram is a fixture in many lives.
REASON 1: Instagram follows Standards
While this may not seem useful to users at first; on analyzation it can be understood that by following the Jakob Nielsen’s 10 Usability Heuristics, Instagram is making the interface more user friendly.
For example, by providing Visibility of System Status Instagram is ensuring that users are always aware of the state of their application and are never in confusion of making an error. It’s usage is visible while sharing a post to another account.
Another example would be the application of Help and Documentation. Instagram constantly updates the app and to prevent users from being confused of it’s usage, it provides a guide in the form of prompts help out the user.
REASON 2: Instagram keeps up with trends
Instagram keeps updating it’s features and follows Jakob’s law that ‘Users spend most of their time on other sites’. Therefore when it was noticed that many people were engaging with Snapchat because of its ‘Stories’ feature that enabled people to upload content in a more carefree manner (as it disappeared after 24 hours), instagram developed a way to incorporate stories as well.
And since its introduction instagram has gained more users as they are able to share more real content without it being intimidating. They even kept the same name to help users make the connection.
According to Instagram, over 500 million accounts use Instagram Stories every day (Instagram, 2021) and 45% of Instagram users prefer to use Stories to become aware of new trends and happenings.
A similar incident occurred when Instagram realized the gaining popularity and impact of short form content from TikTok. And when a few places banned the source, instagram came at the perfect time (during the pandemic) with the Reels feature enabling users to create and share short and fast moving content with ease.
Now how does instagram take decisions of such changes? One important method used by them is A/B testing where features ideated are tested with a few users to understand their response with them and introspect if it can be shared with the entire public.
REASON 3: Instagram is addictive
As explained by Nir Eyal, to create habit forming products a trigger and craving (psychological motivation) must be present.
I didn’t NEED instagram But I installed it anyway (peer pressure 😅). Later when Reels was introduced initially I barely looked at the Explore page but slowly once I started opening it when I found myself doing nothing … I got hooked and opened it anytime I was bored.
And it works, from its launch in 2010 Instagram has gained more than 2 billion users worldwide.
REASON 4: Instagram has multiple features
Instagram is an all in one social media platform for both personal as well as business accounts.
Despite having multiple features on one platform, Instagram has managed to create interpretable icons (affordances) and appropriate mapping that even first time users can navigate the interface easily.
These were my understandings, pretty sure there are more points as well as cons. Let me know your opinions in the comments:)
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