Buzz
Instagram is a social media platform focused on photo sharing, released in 2010 and available in 25 languages. It helps you easily stay updated on your friends' life events. This article will guide you on how to download and install Instagram. Additionally, it provides instructions for basic tasks on the Instagram interface, including how to capture and upload photos.
Steps
Installing Instagram
Download the Instagram app. You can do this by searching for 'Instagram' in your device’s app store (such as the App Store on iOS or the Google Play Store on Android) and selecting the appropriate search result to download the app.
Open the Instagram app. Tap the Instagram icon (which looks like a multicolored camera) on one of your device's home screens.
Create an account by tapping Sign up (Register) at the bottom of the screen. Here, you will need to enter your email address, preferred username, password, and phone number (this is optional but recommended). You can also upload a profile picture before proceeding.
- Additionally, you may add some personal details in the "About" section, including your full name or personal website.
- If you already have an Instagram account, tap on Sign In (Log In) at the bottom of the Instagram login page and enter your account credentials.
Select friends to follow. Once your account is set up, you have the option to find friends from your contacts, Facebook, Twitter accounts, or by manually searching. Note that you will need to provide your Facebook or Twitter account details (including email and password) for Instagram to access these platforms.
- You can follow suggested users by tapping the "Follow" button next to their name.
- Following others allows you to view their posts on your "Home" feed.
- You can connect with friends at any time, even after setting up your account.
Tap Done (Complete) when you are ready to proceed. This action will take you to the Instagram Home page, where you can view posts from the users you've chosen to follow.
Using Hashtags on Instagram
View the Home tab. This is the default tab displayed when you first start, also known as the news feed, where all new posts from the people you follow appear. Here, you can perform the following actions:
- Tap the + icon in the top left corner to create and share a Story with your followers. You will need to grant Instagram access to your microphone and camera for this feature.
- Tap the triangular icon in the top right corner to access your Inbox. All your messages will appear here.
Explore the "Search" tab by tapping the magnifying glass icon. This icon is located to the right of the Home tab at the bottom of the screen. Here, you can search for accounts and keywords by typing in the search bar at the top of the screen.
- Stories from celebrities on Instagram also appear here, just below the search bar.
Check your activity by tapping the heart icon. This is the second icon to the right of the magnifying glass. All your app notifications will appear here, such as likes, comments on photos, follow requests, etc.
View your profile by tapping the account icon. This is the person-shaped icon located in the bottom right corner of the screen. Here, you can perform the following actions:
- Tap the + icon in the top left corner to add friends from Facebook or your contacts.
- Tap the three horizontal bars (☰) in the top right corner and select the gear icon or ⋮ icon at the bottom to explore Instagram's settings and options. You can adjust your account settings and add friends or social media accounts here.
- Tap Edit Profile to change your display name or username, update your bio or website, and modify personal details like your phone number and email address.
Return to the Home tab by tapping the house icon. This icon appears in the bottom left corner of the screen. If the person you're following has posted something new since your last visit, it will automatically show up here.
Ramin Ahmari
Social media influencer
Social media influencer
Swipe right to create and share your story with followers. Ramin Ahmari, co-founder and CEO of FINESSE, shared: "If you want to grow your followers, use Instagram's story feature to share your experiences. Instagram offers fantastic new features, such as allowing you to ask questions on your story and view responses from your followers. Make the most of this to engage and boost interaction."
Add photos to Instagram
Tap the + button to upload a photo. This button is located in the middle at the bottom of the page. Here, you can add an existing photo from your camera roll or capture a new one.
Explore camera options. At the bottom of this page, you'll see three posting options:
- Library - Choose this to upload photos from your library.
- Photo - Capture a photo using Instagram's built-in camera. You need to grant Instagram access to your camera before taking a photo.
- Video - Record a video with Instagram's camera. Ensure you allow Instagram access to your device's microphone first.
Choose or take a photo. To take a photo or record a video, tap the circular button at the bottom of the screen.
- If you'd like to use an existing photo, tap the Next (Continue) button at the top-right corner of the screen to proceed.
Select a filter for the photo. You can choose a filter from the options below the screen. On average, each Instagram account has 11 filters. The goal is to enhance the vibrancy of the image. Additional filters can also be downloaded from Instagram. Filters alter the color and composition of your photo—like how the "Moon" filter can make your picture look like a faded black-and-white photo.
- You can also tap on the Edit (Edit) button at the bottom-right corner to adjust other photo attributes such as Brightness, Contrast, and Structure.
Tap the Next button. This option is located at the top-right corner of the screen.
Add a caption to the photo. You can type your caption in the "Write a caption" field at the top of the screen.
- You can also tag people directly from here, if you'd like.
Explore other options for the photo. Before sharing your photo, here are a few things you can do:
- Tap the Tag People (Tag) to add followers to the photo.
- Tap the Add Location (Add Location) to include your current location in the photo's description. You will need to grant Instagram access to your device’s location services to do so.
- Share the photo on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, or Flickr by toggling the slider next to each account to the "On" position. You must link your Instagram account to these social media platforms to share the content.
Tap on Share at the top-right corner of the screen. You've just successfully posted your first Instagram photo!
Tips
- If you're aiming to grow your followers, post unique photos and ask others to promote your Instagram. You can even design your posts to make your account stand out.
- Instagram is accessible on a computer, but you can't update your account or post photos there. These actions can only be performed in the app.
Warning
- Avoid sharing photos that contain personal information, especially if your account's privacy settings are not configured. Information to be cautious about includes your home address or contact details (e.g., a photo of your new driver's license). If you're posting images of personal documents, make sure to cover up the address, identification numbers, insurance card details, and any other private information. You may reveal your real name unless you used a pseudonym when registering your Instagram account; in that case, conceal your real name if you don't want to disclose your identity.
- When adding a location to your photo, Instagram will prompt you to select Allow or Don't Allow to grant or deny access to your device's location information.
