It's hard to believe that it's already been a whole decade since Instagram made its debut. What was initially created as a place to share photos with family and friends has evolved into one of the hottest markets for businesses and brands to get in touch with their consumers.Over the last ten years, Instagram has impacted the way the younger generation does almost everything. From where to eat to where to shop, Instagram has given users a way to research and compare different brands and businesses. From a business perspective, Instagram has unlocked a door to a revolutionary way of marketing.Heres a closer look at four things Instagram has changed in the last 10 years:1. Social ValidationThough Instagram was not the first social media platform to introduce followers, it can be argued that no other platform's followers are as important. Followers give Instagrammers a sense of social validation as they represent the number of people who care about what you post.For many brands and businesses, followers have become social proof of a brand's success. Brands with more followers are more likely to be trusted, while brands with fewer followers face higher scrutiny. In order to achieve the social validation Instagrammers were craving, several platforms for buying Instagram followers began to pop up.These services gave Instagrammers a way to beef up their following quickly in order to prove their popularity. A buy Instagram followers app is a good option for anyone looking to boost their page quickly and legitimately without the fear of bot accounts.The need for social validation has been a huge driving force in Instagram's increasing popularity. Instagrammers can use the platform to create whole new identities for themselves and can help foster closer connections with people who share their interests.2. Influencer MarketingInfluencers have used Instagram as a tool to change everything about the way people shop today. Their influential power over their followers created a whole new way for businesses to market to those demographics.Businesses realized they could benefit from influencers and stuck endorsement deals in order to promote their products. Because influencers had already built up the trust of their followers, they were the perfect way for brands to reach those customers. Thus began the influencer marketing industry.Influencer marketing has now evolved into one of the most crucial marketing strategies for businesses today and is estimated to be an $8 billion dollar industry.3. Young People Love InstagramOut of Instagram's 1 billion monthly users, over 70% of them are from the Millennial or Gen Z generations. The highly visual approach makes scrolling through Instagram feeling like reading your favourite magazine that never ends.Teens love all things media. From creating it to sharing it with their friends, teens just live for it. Instagram cashed in on this by providing a way for teens to use media as a way to socialize with their peers all over the world.Over the years, Instagram took a cue from its parent company, Facebook, and added Stories. The temporary photo stories, which only stay up for 24 hours, were an instant hit with the younger users, and continue to remain a popular feature for Instagrammers today.4. Revolutionized Online ShoppingInstagram has become the go-to app when researching brands and businesses. The visual layout allows consumers to easily browse through different brands while they compare products and prices. Because of the power of influencer marketing, Instagram has become the most consulted social media for making purchases.Instagram Stories has become one of the most invaluable marketing tools, as they give brands a way to announce special deals and promotions to their followers. Brands aren't the only ones who love marketing on the Stories page. Over half of Instagrammers said they were more interested in brands they'd seen on Stories.Recently introduced shoppable posts make shopping on Instagram easier and more convenient than ever. Shoppable links can be added to business posts to provide product information, prices, and even a direct link to buy the product. This has directly benefited businesses and brands who market on Instagram by providing a more direct connection between the business and the customer.According to ViralRace, as the app continues to evolve, it is rumoured that Instagrammers may even soon be able to shop directly in the Instagram app. Though some high-profile brands do already have this ability, we are excited to see what it means for smaller brands and businesses.Instagram has certainly come a long way over the last ten years. It went from being a camera app with zero users to being the second most popular social media platform in the world in the short span of a decade.While the 2012 takeover by Facebook played an unquestionable role in Instagram's success, it seems that founders Systrom and Krieger struck social media gold when they first launched the popular app ten years ago.As technology continues to advance, we know that there will be plenty more in store for Instagrammers around the world.
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