Instagram is now more than just a place to share pictures with your followers. You can now directly send pictures to designated users. When Instagram released the ability to share videos it was clear that they were willing to compete with other social media platforms such as vine. Now with direct photo messaging they are just one step further in competing with new social media platforms. Instagram released a statement on their blog, “There are, however, moments in our lives that we want to share, but that will be the most relevant only to a smaller group of people—an inside joke between friends captured on the go, a special family moment or even just one more photo of your new puppy. Instagram Direct helps you share these moments.”

Instagram has clearly attracted a large audience and many young teens are turning to Instagram instead of Facebook or Twitter. Instagram has really offered a unique way of visual communication.  Now with direct messaging users can easily share photos by looking up the user. Instagram has put a button on the upper right side of the app screen to open direct messaging. Direct messaging is another way to share great photos privately without showing everyone who is following you the photo you post.

Instagram that was purchased by Facebook for 1 billion dollars has over 150 million users. Users range from teenagers to young adults and even have celebrities. Instagram gives you the opportunity to take a picture and modify it with the 16 Instagram filters. Direct messaging allows your pictures to be kept more private and intimate with your close friends and not the 500+ followers that you never normally would talk to.