You may be well aware of what Instagram is actually. Simply putting, Instagram is an online social networking app developed for sharing videos and photos from a smartphone owned by Facebook, Inc. It was created and launched by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger in October 2010 exclusively on IOS. A version for Android devices was released after a year in April 2012, followed by a limitedly featured website in November 2012 Instagram rapidly gained popularity after its launch in 2010 and now have 1 billion accounts active every month.
If you know all about Facebook and Twitter, Instagram is no different. Everyone who creates an Instagram account has a profile and a news feed. Let’s know the basics of Instagram before you create an account and get introduced to the immense world of Instagram.
When you post a photo or a video, it will appear on your profile. Other people who follow you will see your posts on their news feed. Likewise, you will see the posts of people you choose to follow. It’s pretty simple, right? It’s a simplified version of Facebook where you can interact with other people by following them, being followed by them, liking, tagging and private messaging. You can even save photos you see and like on Instagram. Instagram is compatible with both IOS and Android devices.
Creating an Account on Instagram
In order to create an Instagram account, download the app in your smartphone first or you can open the Instagram’s official website on your PC. Here, I am using my PC to create an Instagram account for a better example.
Open the app and you will be asked to log in or signup. You can log in with your Facebook account too if you have one. Click on the ‘Log In With Facebook’ Icon. If you are logged in to Facebook, Instagram will directly ask you permission for access. If not, you will have to log into Facebook first. Link your Facebook and Instagram accounts. You’re done.
Here, I am going to show you how to create an Instagram account for the first time, so I chose Signup.
STEP 1: You can either sign up with your phone number or your email. It’s your choice. Add the information required and hit the ‘Sign Up’ button below.
If you’re using your smartphone, you will be asked for your phone number or email. Choose with which you want to signup.
Add your name and password and click ‘Next.’ You can change your username anytime.
After this, the process of using Instagram on both smartphones and PCs are almost the same but with different placements of the icon. It wont be that hard to use Instagram once you know the purpose of every icons.
STEP 3: If you signup with your mobile number, you will receive a 6-digit code on your phone or if you signed up with your email, check your mail and enter the code at the designated destination.
STEP 4: You will be introduced to the ‘Suggestion For You’ page where you will be suggested some popular Instagram users to follow. If you see someone you adore or someone who interests you, hit the ‘Follow’ button.
STEP 5: Click on the icon with a person and your profile appears on your screen. You can edit your profile by clicking on the ‘Edit Profile’ Icon. Add a short bio about yourself if you want and also don’t forget to add a profile photo. It will help people who know you to access you easily.
STEP 6: After you are done editing your profile. Click on the ‘Submit’ button below and your profile is saved. Click on the ‘Compass’ Icon on the top right side of the screen discover new people, things and hashtags.
STEP 7: Click on the ‘Search’ Menu at the top of the screen to search for someone you know or someone you want to follow. For smartphones, the ‘Magnifying glass’ icon at the bottom left side of the screen is used to discover and search for people.
Remember, the ‘Arrow’ icon at the top right side is where you send and receive private messaging. The television icon just at the side of the arrow lets you watch viraal instagram videos.
CONCLUSION: Your Instagram account is created and is up for running. WELCOME TO THE INSTAGRAM WORLD. Post your own photos and videos for people to see and discover new things. This is all you need to know as a beginner. Continue surfing and you will learn new things and techniques every time.
