Today, Instagram turns 5 years old and to celebrate this milestone, we’ve taken a look back at how it has become one of the fastest growing communities in the world.
Key stats and facts:
- Instagram has grown from the dream of two friends, to one of the fastest growing communities, with over 400 million monthly active users
- Over 75% of people using Instagram are outside the US (14 million in the UK)
- Over 40 billion photos have been shared on Instagram in the last five years
- The community uploads 80 million photos per day
Instagram connects the community to the world as it happens:
o A first person perspective of the Calbuco earthquake, Hurricane Sandy and winter storm in Juno — Ben Lowe’s powerful Instagram image of a New Jersey man crossing a flooded river was Time Magazine‘s cover photo
o A first uncensored view of life inside North Korea from Taylor Pemberton
o On the ground perspective on the Ferguson Riots
o Dmitry Markov won an Instagram / Getty grant for his Instagram work highlighting the plight of orphaned children
o Politicians including Hilary Clinton, Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande have joined Instagram, sharing authentic behind-the-scenes pictures from their everyday lives. From campaign snapshots and memorable election moments, to quiet moments at home, Instagram allows politicians to show a new side of themselves
It takes you behind the scenes of global events:
o The first group selfie at the VMA’s captured by Miley Cyrus on Instagram
o The front row of fashion week, and behind the scenes of the shows – Ashley Williams was the show with the most engagement on Instagram this LFW15
o Closer to the action at music festivals – there were 17 million likes, comments and posts on Instagram at Glastonbury – allowing the community to experience the festival through Instagram
o Closer to the action at sports finals – there were 8.3 million likes, comments or posts on Instagram about at the FA Cup Final
o Improved Instagram search allows people to experience moments of celebration and commemoration from around the country, from London PRIDE to the 7/7 commemorations #WalkTogether
It has proved popular with global public figures to build a direct and authentic connection with their fans, from the world of entertainment to sport:
o David Beckham joined Instagram to celebrate his 40th birthday and was the fastest person to reach 1 million followers, hitting the number in just one day (May 2015)
o Rihanna was one of several artists to tease her first new music for two years on Instagram before anywhere else
o Kim Kardashian and Kanye West shared their first kiss after their wedding on Instagram, becoming the most liked photo on Instagram of 2014
o Mario Testino revealed his first official pictures of Princess Charlotte on Instagram
o Rory McIlroy revealed he was out of The Open due to a broken ankle on Instagram
o Tom Daley commented about his engagement publicly on Instagram this week
But it’s not all about images:
o 1 in 4 of accounts on Instagram are music related
o Instagram gives you access to your favourite sports and music stars, from Harry Styles to Ronaldo
o Instagram gets you closer to food, from innovative community members such as Symmetry Breakfast to top chef Ottolenghi
o Instameets bring Instagrammers with shared interests and passions together, for example the #ScotSkiMeet2015
o Hashtags such as #fromwhereIstand allow the community to view a personal perspective from fellow community members they admire
Timeline of key Instagram moments from the past year:
- Rory McIlroy reveals broken ankle exclusively on Instagram (July 2015)
- Kendall Jenner overtakes Kim and Kanye with the most liked Instagram image ever (June 2015)
- Hilary Clinton joins Instagram (June 2015)
- 7 million people had more than 17 million interactions at Glastonbury festival on Instagram (June 2015)
- Instagram announces ads evolution plan – June 2015
- 8.3 million likes and comments on Instagram during the FA Cup final / Theo Walcott revealed as the most Instagrammed player following the FA Cup final (May 2015)
- Nadal joins Instagram (May 2015)
- David Beckham joins Instagram – May 2015
- Instagram launches first dedicated account – @Music (May 2015)
- Crying with laughter emoji revealed as the most popular emoji on Instagram – April 2015
- Ludwig and Crema revealed as the most popular Instagram filters – April 2015
- Instagram reveals results of first UK ad campaigns – April 2015
- Instagram launches carousel ads in the UK, France and Germany – March 2015
- Cara Delavigne reaches 10m followers – March 2015
- Emerging designer Ashley Williams revealed as the most Instagrammed fashion show at LFW AW15 – February 2015
- Rhianna teases first new music for two years on Instagram (November 2014)
- Kim and Kanye’s wedding picture becomes the most liked image ever on Instagram (November 2014)
- Instagram launches ads in the UK – September 2014
- Instagram launches ads in the US – October 2013
Happy Birthday Instagram …