Another week, another batch of news on the biggest social network of photos (of videos, Stories, shopping, memes and whatever else occurs in Facebook's delusional mind). Let's see, then, what's new in the Instagram?
New area for hashtags
From its inception, Instagram tradition: as hashtags They are next to the caption of the posted content, seen from everyone what can be a little inconvenient when the user in question has that annoying habit of filling his photos and videos with the old lady's famous games. Now the network is working on a way to improve this experience.
Who discovered the news, still in the testing phase, was the app researcher Jane Manchun Wong:
Instagram is testing the ability to add hashtags to posts without including it in the post caption pic.twitter/OhQn0xcCuw
– Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) September 20, 2018
Instagram is testing a way to add hashtags s posts without including them in subtitles.
The news would move the hashtags for a special section, as already are the areas of tagging people or adding a location, and would hide the keywords from the post overview. For now, there is no limit to the amount of terms you can tag, but the researcher says it is very likely that Instagram will set a limit when (or if) the feature goes live.
It is not clear whether other users will be able to see these hashtags touching a special section or expanding the post; the fact that, with the (possible) change, the hashtags I will exist for search purposes only and no longer to fill your subtitles with loose words.
Instagram has not commented on the news and of course can cancel the tests at any time. But that would be great, wouldn't it?
Limit location
The same Jane Manchun Wong, on her exploration, discovered tests of another feature that may soon reach the network: the ability to mark in which territories your post or your Stories will be displayed.
Instagram is testing geofencing posts and stories.
It allows creators to limit the specific countries where their content will be visible. pic.twitter/rRE24BPnkj
– Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) September 20, 2018
Instagram is testing a feature of geofencing for posts and Stories.
It will allow creators to limit the countries where their content will be visible.
This option would be particularly useful for brands that advertise on the web and would like to block viewing of their posts in countries where they do not work or upload; Still, as in the previous case, Instagram has not commented on the tests, and they may never see the light of day.
Shopping channel
A few weeks ago we talked about a possible new separate Instagram app entirely dedicated to shopping. The network remains silent on this subject without denying or confirming anything but the fact that the main app of Urges It is taking another step towards this renewed focus on e-commerce.
As announced in a post on its official blog, Instagram is gaining a special channel, located on the “Explore” tab, fully focused on shopping. There you find products from brands you follow or may be interested in, just as you already see in posts on your feed When you touch an item that interests you, it will be taken to the product purchase page.
In addition, the network has announced that it is expanding the tags shopping in Stories to the whole world after launching it in the US a few months ago. It remains unique to network brands and business profiles, however.
Video markings
This one we had already commented on a few weeks ago, and now here it is: the network is giving all users the ability to tag people on videos too.
It's here! Now you can tag your friends in the videos you share to feed. pic.twitter/NdZ2hLycmz
– Instagram (@instagram) September 19th, 2018
Has arrived! Now you can tag your friends on the videos you share on feed.
The feature is now available on the latest version of Instagram on the App Store and Google Play.
GIFs in Direct
Finally, the network is announcing yet another new feature to make our communication even more expressive: GIFs can now be shared in private chat conversations. Direct.
Introducing GIFs in Instagram Direct. Message your friends with the perfect GIF or send a random one if you like surprises. Happy DMing! pic.twitter/uKocwLaQ68
– Instagram (@instagram) September 20th, 2018
Introducing GIFs in Direct from Instagram. Chat with your friends with the perfect GIF or send us a random if you like surprises. Good messages!
The GIPHY-based tool even has a random GIF button for sending a random animated image which, I believe, has the potential to generate some disasters. Still, being GIFs one of the pillars of contemporary communication, the news comes in good time especially for Direct, which increasingly becomes a very solid messenger.
The feature is also available on the latest version of Instagram for all platforms.