This week’s announcement that Facebook purchased the popular photo-sharing app Instagram for an astounding $1 billion has drawn mixed reactions from the social media sphere. First, though, some quick facts about the Facebook/Instagram merger:
- Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement regarding the acquisition was released, naturally, via his Facebook page (or Timeline, as Facebook is virtually forcing users to refer to it).
- The sale is expected to close later this quarter.
- The merger will bring Instagram’s staff of nine employees to the Facebook offices.
- Zuckerberg specified that his company intends to build on Instagram’s strengths and features and grow the app independently, as opposed to “just trying to integrate everything into Facebook.”
- Facebook plans to keep the Instagram features that allow photos to be published on other social networks, as well as the capacity to have followers and follow people who are not necessarily the user’s Facebook friends
The social media sphere has been loaded with opinions on the merger, with witty tweets that range from the snarky to…well, snarky. For example:
- : I’m super excited to announce that Instapaper has agreed to be acquired by nobody today, although @Pinboard’s tweet made me want to coffee.
- : Everyone on Twitter just turned into a hipster post Facebook Instagram acquisition. Photo filters just sold-out to the man.
- : Facebook bought Instagram so that it would be even easier for you to upload pretentious profile pictures. (myself included.) (sic)
- : Facebook acquisition adds an interesting dynamic to the snobbery around @Instagram. Mainstream audience FTW!
As a social media agency that offers Facebook marketing services, we see some positive perks in store for those who want to incorporate Instagram into their Facebook marketing campaigns. What others may call “pretentious” looking photos, your audience may call interesting and unique. The key is to start using it right away, before Instagram on Facebook goes the way of other bygone trends.
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