Instagram is stepping up its efforts to attract brands and corporations to its platform with the launch of a new business-oriented blog designed to help companies reach out to consumers.
An announcement post from the photo-based social networking service describes the project as a resource that will show how other companies are using the service and offer “tips and tricks” on using it from a business perspective. Upcoming content on the blog includes “brand spotlights, API examples, Instagram news and tips.”
The blog also appears to be an effort to help companies enter the Instagram community without alienating its users. For instance, one recent post shares “best practices” for the service, such as signing up for a personal account to understand the individual user’s experience and spreading posts out throughout the day.
With over 80 million users and 4 billion photos shared, Instagram has increasingly been seen as a marketing opportunity for companies and brands. One recent study found that 40 percent of the world’s most valuable brands are using the service.
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Facebook’s pending $1 billion acquisition of Instagram should increase the appeal of official corporate accounts. The two companies are awaiting regulatory approval to complete the transaction. The UK Office of Fair Trading just revealed that it doesn’t plan on pursuing an investigation into the deal, which was originally scheduled to wrap up in the second half of this year.
Instagram doesn’t yet differentiate between brand accounts and private accounts, though such a feature may be in the works, given the upcoming link-up with Facebook and growing interest from corporations. Businesses can, however, submit requests to enforce their trademarks for specific usernames.
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