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Instagram

Instagram launches a new QR code to help users scan profile from anywhere

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QR codes are becoming a very common and crucial part of today’s smartphone applications. Previously, the QR codes were introduced in the payment platforms but gradually the social media platforms are also incorporating this new feature. Many apps like Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, Spotify, etc have their QR-like system. But, among these only Twitter works with actual QR code. Yesterday, another app introduced working with actual QR-code and that is Instagram. This new feature of generating your QR-code and scan the same using any camera app has been introduced all over the world. A flexible way to check out the profile of any person or business or organization by scanning the QR through any camera app, Instagram made a great update.

qr code

Advantage of the new QR-code Scan

The new feature of generating QR-code by Instagram was introduced last year in Japan. Since Instagram is a platform that gives exposure to budding talents and business, it is of great advantage for the users. The businesses or any kind of service provider can now generate their QR which after scanning will allow the customers to get plenty of useful information. So, this new feature is beneficial for both the service provider and the customer. Using this QR-code people can also visit the interesting profile and follow if they like the page.

With actual QR code coming into play, people don’t have to open their Instagram every time they wanted to scan the internal QR (nametags). Amongst the pandemic, many restaurants also prefer to leave out QR codes instead of physical menus. Moreover, if you scan the QR code, every information about when the store is open, the list of buying items, etc appears.

How to generate your QR code?

Every Instagram profile will have a unique QR code generated from his or her account. The steps for how to generate your QR-code are given below:

  • After opening the Instagram application on your phone, go to your Profile. Remember that the Home page is different from the Profile page.
  • After going to the Profile page go to Settings.
  • From the given options tap on QR code.
  • Your QR code will be generated. You can either share or save the image or do both.

While tapping on the QR code, you might still find the Nametag option. But, eventually, it will get changed or you can update the app and see what happens.

Nametags and the new QR code are different

A couple of years back, Instagram launched a similar kind of feature called Nametags. Nametags showed your profile name in a way that can be easily scanned by other users who want to check your profile or follow you. All they needed to do is scan the name from the Instagram camera. This is the difference between Nametags and actual QR-code as the later can be scanned from any third-part camera applications. Moreover, when Nametags was released they came with a customizable option to make it look more attractive. But, now with the actual QR-code people will get hugely benefited by putting up their business accounts, generating and sharing the QR code.

Instagram

How to Get More Instagram ‘Hearts’ on your posts

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Well! Instagram needs no introduction. Launched in 2010 and a heartthrob of app users all around the world ever since, Instagram enjoys about 100 million active users per month. If you are a user too, this blog can help you with the caption section to keep you popular! Read on!

Captions are Important On Instagram

Instagram is a website based on visuals. When you post a picture, there is a section that lets you write a description for your picture. But is it enough to just post a visual and expect to maintain a good number of followers without explaining it? Probably not. Also, it is an altogether different story if you are handling a business profile. You need to be precise and clear about the stuff you post. This includes the picture AND the text connected to it. Only then can your Instagram community help you grow your business, productively promote your brand, and reach the number of audiences that you initially targeted.

Also Read: Instagram Comes Out With New IGTV App Updates

So, this means you have to have several active members to see and like your posts. Not only like, but also engage in commenting on them. If the participation is somewhere between 3% and 6%, you are going well. If you are above that, thumbs up, but below that, this is a warning sign of a dying account (Don’t say you weren’t informed!)

Let Go of Your ‘Once Upon a Time’ Tales, Now!

If you into the habit of writing long tales, sorry to break it to you, but Instagram is not your place. You have to keep your descriptions short. If your post is about some knowledge-based content, the picture you shared should be able to do most of the talking. The caption is there to facilitate the image with a context. Remember: the idea is to inspire, not to bore!

Also Read: Facebook to Acquire GIF-giant Giphy in A Major Tech Buy-Out

Maintain a specific brand and individual style, but also trim it to the specifications of Instagram. In a harsh rude virtual world, Instagram stands as a friendly place, and it is easy to build a business relationship here. Keep your tone friendly. Be direct and neat about your use of language.

Pro-tip: a pun here and there won’t hurt!  

Use Emojis and Smilies!

As mentioned before, Instagram is a friendly place. It is open for informal communications. The use of emojis in a caption can add extra life to it. Most of the time, emojis depict moods better than words ever can! (Yes, you are not the only one who thought so!). You can highlight your text by pointing an arrow towards it, choose a coffee cup from the emojis (it is too cute to handle!) instead of writing it.

Pro-tip: Emojis are your friends, just do not overuse them. This can make your text look dull, and a little too informal (and non-serious) if it is a business-related post.  

Also Read: Jacob Blackstock: The Person who Transformed the Emojis into More Realistic Bitmojis

Write an Assertive Caption!

A good caption is the one that invites people to do some action. You can give a dare to people to write a comment in parts without breaking the tempo of it. You can also ask a question in your caption. Also, you can ask people to tag their friends in the comment section. This will increase your traffic. But your post must be catchy enough to retain the traffic. It should include something that can make people stay on your profile, ideally, follow it. Just remember to be assertive. Use words like ‘GO!’, ‘Win’, and ‘MUST’ in your caption. It doesn’t make it necessary to do it. But mentally, they’ll feel the compulsion to do it if assertive words are used.

Pro-tip: Ask people to use your product, and share their views about it. And those already using it, ask them for their feedback.

Also Read: INDIA’S OWN VIDEO CONFERENCING TOOL SAY NAMASTE GIVES A STRONG COMPETITION TO ZOOM

Search for Your Posts!

Want to know if your catchy captions strategy is working? Search for your posts on Instagram. You can do that by putting in your hashtag, or by your location. If you have people writing for you or promoting your business, this is the way to check it. Check if you are getting mentioned in posts and hashtags. You can also do it by using a media monitoring application. For example, if I want to check my remaining data package, I would look for Instagram hashtags mentioning Optimum Customer Service number. It will show me every post linked to it.

Pro-tip: Allow your media monitoring app to send you notifications every time your name or brand name is mentioned in a hashtag!

IGTV

Instagram Comes Out With New IGTV App Updates

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Instagram had recently launched its IGTV app to draw crowds to its video platform. However, the app really hasn’t caught on, with most of the viewership coming from the IG app itself. Nevertheless, Instagram updated the IGTV app hoping to boost its interface and attract new viewers. Here’s a look at what the update does, and how it might help the company draw larger crowds.

IGTV Kicks Off

Instagram launched the IGTV app in a bid to help promote creators who make long-form videos. The recent update which came out today will see a whole new design, with significant changes having been made to the homepage and interface.  The company’s update sees the inclusion of a creator top which helps users watch what their followers are up to.

This top part also displays all the videos that the app thinks the user will enjoy. Furthermore, the IGTV app will also get a Discover tab that will help users surf new video content and find new forms of long-form videos they enjoy. This tab will work a lot like the Explore tab on the IG app.  Also, the app will now have its very own hands-free recording function which will enable users to take more interesting videos.

Explore and Discover

People everywhere agree that the biggest change brought in by the update is without a doubt the new Discover tab. Before this update, the IGTV app only displayed videos put up by the people the users followed. In addition other popular videos which the app felt were relevant also came on the user’s feed. Also, the app’s interface was very bare, with users having to click on videos to start them and play them. The new Discover tab will help users find new interesting content and explore other users and their profiles. Such an Explore tab will help users find new content, share and promote their own content and even help in forming connections via the app.

IG Stories Update

Another small, yet impactful update will allow users to now add IGTV content as their Stories. Rather than including a frame from the video, they can now play 15 seconds of their content. Such a move will help significantly in attracting new users to the app, as videos are now more likely to get more views. All of these updates will help in making the app more accessible, user-friendly and appealing to the younger generation. No one is sure regarding how many users depend solely on the IGTV app for their daily dose of video content.

Most people still seem to use the Instagram app to find video content, rather than depending on the stand-alone app. Also, Instagram has refused to divulge information regarding the usage of the app. However, when we look at Google Play and App Store, we see that while the IG app has over 10 million reviews, the IGTV app has only around 26,000 reviews with more than 25,000 coming from Google Play. But, it is refreshing to see Instagram focusing on content creators, and helping them popularise their content.

 With sources saying that company executives are encouraging new talent to use the IGTV app from the Los Angeles office, it seems like the company is taking a new found interest in video content. Furthermore, these updates suggest that Instagram is actively working towards weeding out the problems in the IGTV interface.  The company is also trying to find why the app isn’t attracting many viewers and working towards alleviating those problems.  Instagram still believes that IGTV is the “future of video,” and is ensuring rely on it to find video content.

Soleimani

Instagram is Removing the Posts Supports Soleimani to Adhere US Laws

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The world watched in shock as US released a statement saying they had taken out Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. However, there was more shock to follow suit, with Instagram recently announcing that it will remove posts about the slain commander. Instagram and its parent company Facebook has decided to take down posts in support of Soleimani due to U.S. sanctions laws. There are very few Western born social media platforms allowed in Iran, and Instagram is one of them. Thus, the move will come as a big setback for the technology giant, and a huge let down to the people. Here’s a look at the whole story.

Violation of Free Speech

Most journalists and activists who fight for free speech feel that such censoring will do no good for anyone. The removal of the posts will be to comply with American sanctions. Isobel Cockerell from Coda Story exposed that as per a report by the International Federation of Journalists, Instagram had suspended over 15 Iranian journalists’ accounts.

While some accounts were reinstated, several posts have been permanently deleted. As the activists feel that this is a time Iranians need to have access to information, the move will be heavily criticised. Choosing to censor Iranian media at this juncture is highly unacceptable as per Anthony Bellanger, who serves as the IFJ General Secretary.

Taking Down Accounts

Instagram has also reportedly been shutting down accounts of journalists, advocates and activists from Iran, sharing posts related to the commander. In one notorious instance, Instagram removed a post by journalist Emadeddin Baghi, who suggested that Soleimani’s killing is “contrary to the principles of international law”.

However, Instagram backed the move by stating that it is merely complying with US laws. Furthermore, the company stated that it restored posts made by Baghi after checking them for compliance. Posts removed by erroneous means, and which did not violate any company policy were later restored by the social media giant.

As per US law, Instagram has to remove posts in favour of groups labelled foreign terrorist organizations as per U.S. State Department records. That list, as of last year, includes the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps formerly led by Soleimani. Facebook interprets the law such that it removes all content encouraging their actions or speaking in support of them.

Public Resistance

However, this behavior raised concerns from free speech advocates, who feel the network has no legal obligation to take down such posts. Also, they feel that such a move goes against Facebook’s mission to become a representative for free expression.

Facebook spokesperson Sarah Pollack said that Facebook regularly reviews its content to make sure it complies with US laws. She also revealed that people whose accounts have been disabled can appeal at the Help Centre for further help. Noted advocate for free speech, Jillian York who works at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, expressed his disappointment, stating that Instagram is “legally wrong”.

Activists feel that while flagging organisations as terrorist groups might work for intelligence agencies, it also works as a blunt tool. Offering private entities, the power to dictate policies such as this could grow into a dangerous problem soon enough, as per them.

The aggressive position that such platforms are taking might not be very sustainable for the companies themselves. Though Google declined to comment, the giant has not yet removed any posts and neither has Twitter. This, therefore, puts Facebook in a tough spot.

Instagram Restrict

Instagram Rolls Out its Restrict Feature to Fight Cyberbullies

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Though the internet has brought so many positive changes to our daily life, there has been some of the hazardous effects of the same as well. Cyberbullying is one such bad situation that has been promoted on many on the social media platforms, and people are getting affected by this mentally. The owner of these social media platforms are well aware and have been thinking of new ways to put a restriction on the bullies.

Instagram, one of the top social media platforms, is no different and have been facing the same bullying stuff. The company has taken proper measures for stopping such activities on the platform. It has already set up a team of moderators as well to keep an eye on the daily comments. But still, with the everyday bullying, it has not been able to keep up with it and has been a part of major criticism. In July this year, the company took another step to handle cyberbullying and introduced the beta of a new feature, named Restrict, that would help the content creators to hide the hate comments on their posts.

Today, the company announced that the very feature will now be available to the general public, and people will be able to shadowban the users and their comments including the hate speech. Being shadowbanned means that the user making the hate comment will have no idea that his/her comment has been restricted, and no one else, other than them, can see the comment after it has been made hidden.

Instagram Restrict

To restrict a hate comment, the user needs to swipe left on that very comment. If the person continues to post such comments on other posts as well the user can directly go to the person’s profile and restrict all their comments. The feature will also keep the bullies from seeing if the user who has restricted them is ever active. The feature is similar to the Mute feature from Twitter, thus, won’t block the user entirely. This way, the bullies can still send the users direct messages, but these messages will go to the message request folder of the recipient. With the feature, even if the user has read the message, the bullies cannot see if the user has seen the message or not.

“Bullying is a complex issue, and we know that young people face a disproportionate amount of online bullying but are reluctant to report or block peers who bully them,” Instagram said, “Restrict is designed to empower you to quietly protect your account while still keeping an eye on the bully.”

Instagram has been the favourites of not only the teens, but the celebrities also like to post their daily pictures and events on it, as it has got the most active audience. But there is no one who has not faced hate speech on their account and is unable to fight it completely. Instagram has already got the blocking the user feature on it. And now, with new restrict feature, there may be some hope the users for fighting against the bullies.