Instagram’s new ‘Instants’ feature combines elements of Snapchat and BeReal

Instagram he announced On Wednesday it is launching “Instants” worldwide, a new feature for sharing authentic, rare photos after testing them with other users. This feature allows users to share missing photos with close friends or followers that can be viewed only once and last for 24 hours.

The app borrows ideas from social media sites like Snapchat, Locket, and BeReal, as it focuses on content that is real and authentic.

Unlike Instagram, which is all about edited and polished content, Instants is designed for quick and real photos. With Instants, you take a photo with Instagram’s in-app camera and are not allowed to edit the photo. This feature doesn’t allow uploading from your camera, and, although you can add your own “time” captions, you can’t edit them. Meta said in a blog post that the idea of ​​this type is to share real-time events as they happen.

It’s worth noting that Meta is also testing the Instants version as a stand-alone program in selected regions, including Spain and Italy.

You can take an Instant by tapping the little icon in the top right corner of your Instagram account. When you share your Instant, recipients can respond with emojis, reply, and resend the Instant. Meta states that recipients cannot capture or record the Instants you shared.

Instagram stores the Instants you’ve shared in a private location that you can view for up to one year. You can also include Instants from your database and upload them to Instagram Stories.

If you accidentally shared an Instant, you can click the “edit” button and remove the Instant from your database so you don’t send it to friends who haven’t opened it yet.

And if you don’t want to receive Instants, you can put a bunch of Instants in your inbox and right-click to stop receiving them temporarily. You can also choose to block or mute certain people.

Although Instagram started as a way for friends to share time, the platform gradually became filled with advertisements and promotions. With Instants, the company seems to be leaning towards a more private, private approach to sharing photos between friends.

However, Instagram may be a little late to take advantage of the trend of low-profile, real-time photo sharing, such as BeReal. not as popular as beforeand many users already use Instagram Stories for quick, casual updates and may not see the need for a separate app and interface to do so.