Instagram is a social media platform primarily used for sharing photos and videos. It's developed and maintained by Meta. Key features include the ability to post photos and videos, create stories that disappear after 24 hours, send direct messages, and create reels. Instagram also offers a shopping feature that allows users to purchase products directly through the app. For content creators and influencers, Instagram offers creator accounts with additional tools for managing their online presence, understanding audience growth, and managing messages. These accounts provide in-depth insights, streamlined messaging, and options for displaying contact information.
Instagram is generally free to use. However, advertising on Instagram incurs costs, with the average cost per click ranging from $0.40 to $1.73. The cost per 1,000 impressions (CPM) ranges from $2.50 to $10.81, depending on factors such as audience targeting and industry competitiveness. Instagram is currently available globally on iOS and Android devices. Recent updates in 2024 include new ways to interact with Reels in DMs, profile cards for networking, public comments on Stories, and a wide array of new stickers. However, the ability to follow hashtags was removed in December 2024.