Instagram

Following spam attack, Instagram ignores requests to fix broken features [updated]

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated October 27, 2016

Do you remember the Instagram smoothie spam attack that happened a few months ago? For those of you that are not aware of the situation, let me give you a brief history. On July 27 of this year, many users found out their account had been hacked into, and pictures of smoothies and juices with a link to some scam site disguised as the BBC were posted from those hacked accounts

Although Instagram never actually explained what happened that day, the company quickly took "actions to secure the accounts involved, and the posted photos are being deleted."

I was one of these people affected by the attack. I actually noticed my account had been hacked well before Instagram reacted. I did all I could do at the time, which was changing my password and making sure my account was not tied to any third party applications.

Since that day, I was never able to use Instagram to its full capabilities, and although I have emailed support several times clearly explaining my issue, I never heard back from them...

11 tips to get more Instagram followers

Emil Pakarklis ∙ Updated September 10, 2014

Let’s face it. Instagram is only fun if other people are following you. However, when most of us first sign up for Instagram, hardly anyone is following us. In this article you’re going to learn some simple and ethical techniques to build a following on Instagram.

There's a lot of demand for Instagram followers, and different scams and spammy techniques have been created as a consequence. Needless to say, these techniques don't work (and Instagram will likely delete your account if you use them), so this article only focuses on legitimate ways to get more Instagram followers...

Instagram quietly removes option to disable video autoplay

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 9, 2016

Late last month, Facebook-owned Instagram finally received its somewhat dull iOS 7-inspired update. I say dull because the redesign feels a tad rushed out and a bit rough around the edges. More importantly, not many people have noticed that yesterday's minor maintenance update has killed off the tremendously useful video auto-play toggle.

Although iTunes release notes for Instagram 4.2.2 innocently list only "bug fixes and performance improvements," in reality the new build has stealthily removed the useful Instagram > Settings > Auto-Play Videos switch.

This may not seem like a big deal, but consider for a moment the fact that the vast majority of iPhoneography fans turn to Instagram to enjoy beautiful photos.

Conversely, not many people give a heck about video on Instagram. Instagram disappointedly has never provided an option to block all video content from a user's feed so you don't need me to tell you that enforcing auto-play on videos isn't really helping anyone but Instagram itself...

Instagram will introduce photo and video ads in the next couple months

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

For those who've been following Instagram for a while, it will hardly come as a surprise that the company today announced it will start delivering ads into the feed of US users in the next couple of months.

Instagram, which was acquired by Facebook over a year ago, has yet to turn a profit. This new decision to start displaying ads on mobile devices might exactly be what the company needs to become profitable, even if it means alienating a few users in the process...

Instagram updated with iOS 7 style UI, larger and higher resolution photos

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 25, 2013

Joining the growing trend of revamping App Store software for iOS 7 look and feel, Facebook-owned Instagram just rushed out a new version of its iPhone and iPod touch app. It's bringing with it flattened, minimalistic design focused on edge-to-edge images and videos. On the downside, this Instagram release skimps on headline new frameworks (that's why it feels rushed out) which Apple created to help developers tap new iOS 7 technologies.

Nonetheless, it's a nice little update and fans should be happy that Instagram no longer looks out of place and behaves like a good citizen on iOS 7...

Instagrids makes your Instagram profile unique

Lory Gil ∙ Updated March 15, 2018

Have you ever checked out someone’s profile on Instagram? In the upper left corner is the user’s profile picture. Posts, followers, and a personal note is next to that. And then, there is a grid with all of the user’s pictures. What if that grid was made up of a bunch of images that made one big one?

Instagrids does that. Instead of focusing on individual pictures that a person uploads to their Instagram feed, this app uploads segments of a full picture, making your profile grid display the whole picture…

Instagram hits 150 million users as it prepares to introduce advertising

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 14, 2018

When Facebook first announced that it was purchasing Instagram last year, a lot of folks were afraid it would ruin the popular photo-sharing network. They feared Zuckerberg's group would come in, add a bunch of ads, and mess up the whole experience.

But here we are, nearly 18 months later, and nothing of the sort has happened yet. Instagram is thriving—in fact, it just announced that it has surpassed 150 million users—and there's not a single ad in sight. But that doesn't mean that they aren't coming...

Instagram buys Luma for its advanced video filters and stabilization tech

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

In another indication it's taking smartphone photography and videography seriously, Facebook-owned Instagram today bought a small Silicon Valley startup Luma, formerly known as Midnox.

The transaction represents Instagram's first acquisition since joining Facebook's fold in April 2012. The startup is behind Luma Camera, an iOS app designed to make it easy to record and share high-quality video.

This isn't your typical acqui-hire: Instagram is both after Luma's talented engineers and its advanced technology which makes possible real-time cinematic processing such as filters, effects and video stabilization. As you could imagine, the promising app got immediately pulled fom the App Store following the deal...

Instagram warns third-party apps to stop using ‘Insta’ and ‘Gram’ in their branding

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Your favorite Instagram-connected app could be changing soon, or worse, it could be shutting down. The photo-sharing network just updated its brand guidelines, stating that it's going to start banning apps that use either the word ‘Insta’ or ‘Gram’ in their names.

In fact, according to a new report, it looks like Instagram has already begun sending emails out to developers of existing apps, requesting that they change these trademark-infringing components 'within a reasonable period’ or risk losing their apps' API access...

Instagram update brings video importing, automatic straightening, and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Instagram just announced its first major app update since it introduced its new video capture and posting feature last month. Today's update brings the client to version 4.1, and it includes a handful of some highly requested enhancements.

Easily the biggest change in today's update is the ability to import videos from your Camera Roll (though jailbreakers have been able to do this for a while now). This means you can now upload clips shot outside of the app to Instagram's network...

Facebook Messenger for iPhone updated with Instagram support and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Facebook updated its popular Messenger app for iPhone this afternoon, for the first time since May. The update brings the app to version 2.6, and brings about a handful of useful improvements and bug fixes.

Among the improvements is deeper integration with Instagram. Users can now pick photos from their Instagram albums, as well as any other album, on their iPhone and attache them in a Facebook message...