Instagram has become a staple in the world of social media, with over 1 billion monthly active users. But, did you know that the platform garnered its first 25,000 users in just one day? In this article, we'll dive into the details of Instagram's early days and how the company achieved such an impressive feat.
How Instagram got its first 25k customers in one day
The Birth of Instagram
Before we delve into the specifics of Instagram's first 25,000 users, it's important to understand the origins of the platform. Instagram was founded in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. Originally, the app was called Burbn and was focused on location-based check-ins. However, the founders quickly realized that the app was too complicated and decided to pivot.
They stripped down the app to its core features - the ability to take and share photos with friends - and thus, Instagram was born. The app was released on the Apple App Store on October 6, 2010. At the time, there were plenty of other photo-sharing apps available, such as Hipstamatic and Path, but Instagram's simple and intuitive user interface set it apart.
The Launch of Instagram
Now, let's fast forward to the day of Instagram's launch. To put it simply, the app was an instant hit. In fact, it's said that the app garnered its first 25,000 users in just one day. So, how did they do it?
1. Influencers and Celebrities
One of the biggest reasons for Instagram's success in its early days was its ability to attract influencers and celebrities. Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger knew that if they could get high-profile users on board, others would follow suit.
They reached out to influential users on Twitter and other social media platforms, offering them early access to the app. In turn, these influencers began sharing their photos on Instagram, which helped to spread the word and attract more users.
2. Timing
Instagram's launch couldn't have been more perfectly timed. At the time, there was a growing trend of social media apps focused on visual content, such as Pinterest and Tumblr. Instagram's focus on photo sharing was right in line with what users were looking for.
3. User Experience
As mentioned earlier, Instagram's simple and intuitive user interface set it apart from its competitors. The app was easy to use and had a clean design, which made it appealing to users.
Additionally, the founders made sure that the app was available on the iPhone, which was the most popular smartphone at the time. This helped to ensure that Instagram was accessible to a wide audience.
4. Marketing
Finally, Instagram's marketing efforts played a significant role in its early success. The founders focused heavily on social media marketing, using platforms like Twitter and Facebook to promote the app.
They also attended events like South by Southwest (SXSW) to get the word out. In fact, it was at SXSW that Instagram won "Best Mobile App" and became the talk of the event.
Conclusion
In just one day, Instagram was able to attract its first 25,000 users. The combination of influencer marketing, perfect timing, a great user experience, and smart marketing efforts all played a role in the app's early success.
Of course, Instagram's success didn't stop there. The platform has continued to grow and evolve over the years, with new features and capabilities added regularly. However, the story of how Instagram got its start serves as a reminder of just how important it is to get the launch right. By focusing on the right elements - influencers, timing, user experience
