Instagram Finally Launches Web Search Feature
Interested in what hashtag Kim Kardashian uses for her barrage of selfies? Trying to find Aunt Sophie’s account, but haven’t the slightest clue her username? Instagram, which was acquired for $1 billion in 2012, has pulled out their digital epee in an attempt to spar with Twitter and control desktop usage by rolling out search features. The web search tool they’ve introduced allows user accounts to be located, popular hashtags to get searched and will have a (wait for it…) “Top Post” feature indexed in search engines, the company announced at 1:01 p.m. today.
Inebriated celebs and ice bucket challenges will be much simpler to locate, another effort by Facebook which is congruous given Twitter’s desktop growth. Although Instagram was conceived for the mobile user, improving the desktop user experience is important given Snapchat shows no interest in growing outside their mobile parameters. Instagram, by making updates real-time, makes an interesting statement to Twitter: 140 characters has nothing on celeb pictures.
Given Instagram’s concentration on visual interaction, Twitter’s texting scheme will eventually need to adapt similar features before Facebook takes social media completely over. Instagram currently has 300 million active users, roughly two million less than Twitter. With the new web search tool, expect Instagram to capitalize and overtake Twitter in user activity, while SnapChat should probably keel over and quit now.
Late last month, Instagram announced their intention to run with the pack by rolling out their tools. The much overlooked feature of Instagram finally got its upgrade and won’t disrupt the grid-like photo structure users are accustomed to. Instagram also rolled out version 7.0 for Android and iOS last month, which loosely featured these tools for phone and tablet users. The new features will also allow individuals to join Instagram without needing mobile user names and passwords. Instagram immediately rolled out plans for their Weekend Hashtag Project, called #WHPhairplay, which requests users submit facial hair shots and funky hairdos.
The company website is, essentially, an app in itself. With an enormous desktop user base, however, Instagram has made significant strides in “domesticating” the website into something globally friendly. For website owners, embedding accounts and individual status updates is now encouraged and could actually help contribute to ranking in search engines. So for mom bloggers and celebrity fans, you’ve now gained another tool of mass usefulness.
In other news, Twitter (43.2 million) still maintains a slight edge over Instagram (39.8 million) in Twitter followers. Instagram maintains more followers (80+ million) on their own platform than Twitter (15k), however.
[Photo by Justin Sullivan / Getty Images]
