Diffusion of Innovation

Instagram 

The social media app, Instagram now has over 500 million active daily users and over 800 million active users worldwide. The app was developed in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, it began as an app that would let users check in to a location. However, it shifted focus to “communication with images” and this simplicity was the main reason for its success. At its creation, Instagram gave users the ability to upload photos and like and comments on other users photos.

Instagram reinvented the 1837 innovation of the telegraph into modern times. The meaning behind the name comes from the idea that the app allows people to send an “instant telegram” to others. You can read more about the invention of the app in Systroms own words in an article by Forbes: here

There are many pros that came along with the creation of Instagram. It changed the way we share content, both for personal use and professional use. The majority of users around the globe are under the age of 35, about 71%. However, this application is even more popular when looking at younger age groups, for example, in 2018 72% of teens in the United States had at least one active account.

Instagram is not only for personal use, but it is also a great way for businesses to establish relationships and trust with their consumers. There are about 25 million business profiles on Instagram and over 71% of businesses in the United States use Instagram as a business platform. For example, about a month ago I went to a beauty salon in High Point where they tinted and curled my eyelashes. The results were amazing and, at the end of the appointment, instead of just handing me a business card the woman encouraged me to follow their Instagram. I did and now I can see the latest discounts they are having and also view pictures and videos of the other services they provide. Seeing their Instagram reminds me of what a great experience I had there, it makes me want to go back, and ultimately it drives sales for the company. Instagram is an essential tool and is a free advertising platform for your product if you can get people to follow your account.