1
Bringing you closer to the people and things you love
Social media platform for sharing photos, videos, and Stories with over 5 billion downloads enabling creative expression and community connection.
Instagram is a photo and video sharing social media application enabling users to post content, interact with followers, and discover new interests. The platform combines traditional feed posts with Stories, Reels, and direct messaging capabilities. Users can customize profiles, follow accounts, and engage through likes and comments. Instagram serves both personal content sharing and professional marketing for creators and businesses.
The app includes shopping features for purchasing products directly, content discovery algorithms personalizing recommendations, and community features for group discussions. Messaging through Instagram Direct Messages enables private communication with followers and friends.
Free with in-app purchases (Meta Verified £11.99)
| Feature | Free | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Content Creation | Posts, Stories, and Reels with basic editing tools | Advanced editing, scheduling tools, and analytics insights |
| Verification | Request verification badge after account establishment | Get Meta Verified checkmark with priority support |
| Shopping | Browse and purchase products from creators | Set up shop and sell products directly |
| Analytics | Basic follower count and post engagement stats | Detailed analytics with demographic insights |
| Messaging | Direct messages with followers and friends | Unlimited message prioritization and organization |
| Ad-free Browsing | Standard experience with advertisements | Fewer ads and premium feed organization |
Go to Settings > Privacy > Account Privacy and toggle the Private Account option. Only approved followers can see your posts and Stories. Existing followers remain unchanged until you manually remove them from your followers list.
Instagram doesn't automatically backup photos. Download your data first through Settings > Security > Download Data to save your posts. After downloading, you can delete the app. Your photos remain stored if you simply delete the app without deactivating the account.
Stories are vertical photo or video posts disappearing after 24 hours shown to your followers. Reels are short entertaining videos with music and effects viewable by wider audiences through Explore, similar to TikTok content format.
Long-press the post or profile and select Report. Choose the reason such as spam, harassment, or inappropriate content. Instagram reviews reports and takes action if violations are found, which may include removing content or disabling accounts.
Yes, basic Instagram is free permanently. Optional paid features include Meta Verified for verified checkmark and premium features. Standard usage remains free, though ads appear in feeds. You only pay if choosing premium subscriptions or services.
