Instagram reaches 150 million users, expects to sell ads in 2014

Instagram announced over the weekend that the photo- and video-sharing site reached the 150 million mark after 50 million more users joined in the past six months. And these aren’t just U.S.-based users, Instagram has said that over 60 percent of its users are from outside the United States.

With this growing number of users, the Facebook-owned online service now wants to cash in. Instagram’s new Director of Business Operations Emily White says in an interview with Wall Street Journal that they should be prepared to sell ads next year. The challenge for White and the Instagram team is to integrate this marketing tool without putting off its members, particularly its large teen and young adult base.

3M Canada opens Instagram account

Want to know what life would be like without 3M? 3M Canada opened its Instagram channel with a series of Instagram videos that show what life without 3M innovations. 

“3M really is Canada’s problem solving company, developing innovative products every day inspired by the challenges faced by our customers. In fact, on average, Canadians encounter a 3M product every half hour each day—we’re inside so many of the things each of us rely on day in and day out—and we wanted to demonstrate this in a way that resonates with our target,” said Erin Craven-Patrick, who leads branding at 3M Canada.

Instagram update allows for video importing

Instagram 4.1 gives the photo- and video-sharing app an advantage over its competition by allowing users to upload previously saved videos instead of just using clips recorded on the app. You can select the 15 seconds from any clip you want and crop the video to fit into Instagram’s square form. 

For iOS users, there is also a new auto straightening feature for uploaded photos or you can use the straightening tool to correct imported pictures. While for Android users, Video on Instagram is finally available for those running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

Instagram Web allows photo and video embedding

It won’t be long until you start seeing Instagram photos and videos on news sites and blogs all over the internet since the photo- and video-sharing service now lets you embed content to other sites from its Web version. A share button is now visible under the comment button which provides you with the embed code.