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Instagram Goes “Viral” By Introducing Trending Content
As users explore Instagram content outside their feed with a desired tag, content is quickly buried as fresh batches of content rises to the surface. But outside of their specific searches, there’s been no real “news” function to the photo sharing platform – until now. Instagram will unveil a revamped explore tab that features trending content in real time. In addition to trending tags, locations users have checked into will appear as “trending places.” The explore tab can break out trending content into those separate views, or as a consolidated trending snapshot.
Why This Matters: By revamping their explore tab, Instagram has done more than increase its usefulness for users. The photo sharing app is now officially in the trending news business, taking a page from twitter and using their location services as a point of differentiation. For brands, this means that the same trend-jumping social media creation that’s prevalent on Twitter now holds value on Instagram. It also means that the users perusing content will have a powerful explore tab to keep them scrolling, which brings additional value as brands make use of its newer flexible advertising options.