Throughout the years, Instagram has really stepped up its game. Who remembers when we only had a few filters to choose from? Now Instagram allows us to tag locations, friends; it has it's own photo editing system built into the app, pre-made filters; an option to send a direct message, or to edit a caption. The list goes on and the app will probably add more features as the years go on. I personally think that Instagram is great - and it just so happens to be my favorite app! Instagram is a way to express yourself. You can post whatever you want, whenever you want (for the most part). I think that everyone's Instagram page says something about them. Some people post multiple photos daily, some post only one every other week. Some post pictures just to see how many likes they can get; some post a photo expecting no likes or not caring about the amount of likes they get. Some people take Instagram very seriously; some use it for fun. And some care very little about it. Whether you are a current Instagram user or not, this is why this app is such a powerful tool of social media and how it can be beneficial to you:

Building A Business

Instagram is a great platform to really bring businesses to the next level. Hashtags are everywhere in advertisements, and using them on Instagram makes it easier for you to reach and target your clientele. Instagram allows you to share up-to-date information with your followers and to create content that keeps them interested. By just scrolling down their Instagram feed, followers can see the content you put out, instantly. Businesses use Instagram for promotions, too, which drives traffic to their sites, stores, or whatever the case may be. A business being on social media is so important nowadays to directly communicate with potential buyers. And Instagram is one of the apps that can boost your business.

Sharing Moments

"You can only post one photo a day," is the lamest fake Instagram rule I have ever heard. For some reason, there is this imaginary rule that comes along with having an Instagram account where people feel if they post more than one Instagram post a day, it's too excessive. If you're annoyed by the multiple posts people may post, just unfollow them. It's not that hard. It's up to the Instagram user to decide how rarely or how often they want to post on their account. Instagram makes it easy to connect with several people from all over the world and to see their photos. I view Instagram as everyone's digital scrapbook. It allows you to see where others have been, what they have done, and what they are doing now. Everyone's Instagram is unique to them and to their personality. By allowing someone to follow you on Instagram, it's almost like you're allowing them to see how you live your life and all of the experiences you decide to share with your Instagram world.

Discovering New Places

Big shout out to the invention of hashtags and the location feature! By clicking a hashtag or a location, you are brought to endless amounts of posts by people who have used those hashtags or have tagged that location. This is a great tool to find new places in your area or plan a new adventure. You could also press the explore button and see photos from all over, based on the people you follow and the photos you like. (I could get lost on the explore page for hours and it is definitely an awesome feature within the app.) Some people may use these tools as a source of inspiration for where their next Instagram photo may take place or another clever caption to pair with their photo. A lot of times on Instagram, I'm able to discover things I never knew existed, such as an online business or a certain location in the city. These features really come in handy when traveling or looking for something exciting to do. All you have to do is search a location or a name of a restaurant, for example, and you are able to see other people's photos, experiences, and their recommendations.

We live in a world where social media is a huge part of everyone's lives. Most people can only limit themselves to a few social media apps in order to still physically live their lives so that they're not glued to their phones 24/7. If you had only one app to invest your time in, I think most would agree that Instagram would be one of the best. #TeamInstagram.