What is the Difference Between Instagram and Facebook

The main difference between Instagram and Facebook is that Instagram allows posting photos and short videos, whereas Facebook allows sharing various types of media, including photos, short and long videos, articles, website links, and quizzes.

Instagram and Facebook are two of the most popular social media platforms around the globe. Facebook was founded in 2004 and currently has over 2 billion users, whereas Instagram was founded in 2010. In 2012, Facebook acquired Instagram, and today, Instagram is a part of the Facebook family.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Instagram 
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Facebook
     – Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Instagram and Facebook
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Instagram, Facebook

Difference Between Instagram and Facebook - Comparison Summary

What is Instagram

Instagram is a free, online photo-sharing social media platform and application popular all over the world. It allows users to upload photos and short videos using a mobile app, add captions and hashtags to them and share with other users. Each post by a user appears on their followers’ feeds. If the user has added hashtags or geotags, they can also be viewed by the public. More importantly, Instagram users can also make their profiles private so that only their followers can view their posts. In addition, like any other social media network, Instagram users can like, comment on others’ posts and share private messages with their friends.

Instagram vs Facebook

When considering the origin of Instagram, the word Instagram itself is an amalgam of “instant camera” and “telegram. Instagram’s iOS app version was released on October 6, 2010, while the Android app was released on April 3, 2012. Originally, Instagram only allowed sharing photos. Within two years of its inception, Instagram has millions of active users and caught the attention of Facebook, which officially purchased it.

What is Facebook

Facebook is the most popular social media platform in the world today, with over 1 billion users. It was created in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg. Anyone over 13 years of age with a valid email address can join Facebook. It allows users to create free profiles, which give them the opportunity to connect with their friends, relatives, colleagues, and even people they do not. Facebook is a platform where users can share their pictures, videos, music, articles, as well as their thoughts and opinions, with others.  

Instagram and Facebook - Difference

When you have created a free account, you can send ‘friend requests’ to people you know (or don’t know). Once they have accepted your request, you become ‘friends’ on Facebook, and the two profiles are connected, which allows the two users to see whatever the other is sharing. Facebook users can also list their information on their profile – for example, what are they studying, where they are working, their birthday, and other details. This information is easily accessible to their friends. Facebook users can also chat privately with others online. Facebook also allows more interaction among users since they have many features like pages and groups.

Difference Between Instagram and Facebook

Definition

Instagram is a free, online photo-sharing social media platform and application, whereas Facebook is a free social media platform where users can share different types of information and posts with other users.

Type of Posts

Instagram allows posting photos and short videos, whereas Facebook allows sharing various types of media, including photos, short and long videos, articles, website links, and quizzes.

Audience

Facebook has a larger audience than Instagram. Facebook has 2.85 billion active monthly users, whereas Instagram has 1.074 billion monthly users.

Age Category

Instagram is more popular among youngsters than Facebook.

Version

Facebook has both app and web versions, whereas Instagram is mostly used as an app.

Conclusion

The main difference between Instagram and Facebook is that Instagram allows posting photos and short videos, whereas Facebook allows sharing various types of media, including photos, short and long videos, articles, website links, and quizzes. In addition, Facebook has a larger audience than Instagram, but Instagram is more popular with young people.

Reference:

1. “Facebook: What Is Facebook?” GCFGlobal.org.
2. Holak, Brian, and Emily McLaughlin. “What Is Instagram? – Definition from WhatIs.com.” SearchCIO.

Image Courtesy:

Pixabay

About the Author: Hasa

Hasanthi is a seasoned content writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. Armed with a BA degree in English and a knack for digital marketing, she explores her passions for literature, history, culture, and food through her engaging and informative writing.

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