Instagram has been doing a lot of revamping with its features recently, a much needed change to the delight of millions of users. A photo-sharing app used by millions was bought by Facebook in 2012 has been known for letting its users post in square pictures, reminiscent of Polariod and Instamatic images. When Instagram introduced its messaging service in December of 2013, it was clear that communication within its users through text was not their priority. Less than a third of Instagram users around the world are using the feature in a month according to Nylonn. With yesterday's announcement, Instagram hopes to change this number.
Direct messaging in Instagram is under a major overhaul. The revisions announced Tuesday will now allow threaded conversations so you may chat about a photo in private instead of simply commenting on them. When the social network introduced Direct, it wasn't exactly a messaging service but more on sharing private photos with someone or a group of people. The messaging service was treated more as privacy option. You may also customize name of the chat groups you have created, much like how the Facebook Messenger works. There will also be a camera icon within the Direct interface so users can respond to a photo with another one. According to Anna Baum, lead engineer on the project, "We wanted to make a place for conversations to keep going, to enable that back-and-forth. Now if you want to respond and send a new photo, you have a place to do that."
Aside from this, there will be an arrow icon on the comment boxes in your newsfeed so you may start a comment with an emoji or text. The new version raises its profile considerably by adding this feature. Tap it, and you can also message the photo to one or more friends. The Direct will also enhance our hashtag experience and you can also alert someone to post about a topic or place.
These enhancements of Direct messaging is more likely patterned to its owner's existing Messenger. Most of the features added to Instagram's Direct messaging is already available in Facebook Messenger. According to Brina Lee, a software engineer of the app, almost 40% of the comments on Instagram are mentions which name-check another member, showing that users are already bringing photos and videos to each other's attention. The new features will let bring a more efficient manner to this experience.
