Instagram announced today that they now have over a 150 million users, up 50 million in the last 6-months. While there’s no concrete Canadian stats, Instagram stated that “60% of you are from outside the United States.” The app itself – which allows users to capture and share video and pictures – is only available on two platforms, iOS and Android, plus knowledgable BlackBerry users can port the app over to their device.
Instagram also noted that they’re “more committed than ever to bringing you the best Instagram experience possible.” This ‘best Instagram experience’ will include ads. A separate report in the Wall Street Journal reveals that the company will begin monetizing its app “within the next year.”
Emily White, who the WSJ says is Instagram’s COO, is leading the charge to bring in big brand advertisers. She stated that although Instagram was bought by Facebook for $1 billion and has never made a cent, “We want to make money in the long term, but we don’t have any short-term pressure.” Instagram is still figuring out exactly what the ads might look like, but they might possibly appear in the Discovery and search section, or “some retailers also are interested in ad products that will allow users to click on pictures of products that link to a retailer’s own site.” The company has already met with Ford, Williams-Sonoma and Coca-Cola.
End of an era is near.
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