Instagram is In, Facebook is Out
Instagram is In, Facebook is Out
5 reasons why Instagram is becoming the preferred platform for marketing in 2019
It is only a few months into 2019, and the future of Instagram’s influence in the social media world only seems to grow brighter. 2018, was found to be the first year ever (by Edison Research - chart below), where Facebook usage declined. While Facebook usage declined, Instagram usage went up. Below are some of the reasons why Instagram is coming out on top as the preferred social media in today’s world.
1. Instagram is more mobile friendly
For starters, Instagram was a mobile only application for many years. Which means it was born and bred in the mobile only environment, and has really succeeded in mobile user-friendliness. Facebook still has too many options and small buttons that are able to be clicked on the phone. Facebook is a much more complex social medium, which is much easier to use and navigate on a desktop computer. While instagram has perfected the simplistic ability to share photos and videos.
2. Instagram is trending among young Americans
Going back to the study done by Edison Research (chart below), Americans between the ages of 13-34 have showed a drop in Facebook usage, and an increase in Instagram usage. This could be partly because Instagram is a more mobile friendly social medium, or because most users find Instagram to be safer/more positive, or because it is a simpler social medium that asks for less personal information.
3. Instagram has a better explore/discovery section
Due to Instagram always having an emphasis on hashtags, it makes it easier for users to find content they are interested in, or content that is trending. The explore page also provides the user with photos, videos, suggested users, or categories they may enjoy based off of their likes, clicks, following and views.
4. Instagram has messaging built in the app
While Facebook Messenger has been very successful, it is in a different application. If you find a post on Facebook you want to share with a friend, you have to make sure you set up a Facebook Messenger account, to send the post through there. Instagram lets you like, save, and send a post all in the same app. Facebook Messenger does have more options for calling, video chatting, sending money or playing games, Instagram is always improving and upgrading their messaging options.
5. Instagram is more commerce friendly
Instagram and commerce is woven so tightly that it doesn’t take away from the experience and doesn’t make the user feel that they are getting product shoved in their face all the time. If a user enjoys GoPro cameras, they can follow the official GoPro account, and click on photo that uses a certain kind of camera, and the user can view prices right there in their feed (if GoPro used the price tag option). Instagram has seamlessly been able to incorporate advertisements to look like a normal Instagram post (but not too hidden where you don’t know it is an advertisement). There is usually a link that will take you to the brands website, Instagram page or post that features the specific product in the advertisement. Facebook has not been successful with their commerce features.