Instagram is extremely popular and it is one of the fastest maturing social networks of all times. Capturing and sharing visual images is such an important part of social media that Facebook bought the service last year for a staggering $1 billion, setting not only a new record but also a new standard for tech acquisitions. When it first launched, it was simply an iPhone app. But now users can access Instagram from most of their smartphone devices and their computer, with limited functionality. Although, those who own a smartphone running Blackberry 10 or a Windows Phone are still out of luck as Instagram is only available for iOS and Android. The popularity of Instagram cannot be denied.
However, Twitter recently experienced similar success with video sharing due to a new kid on the block it called Vine. Seeing that video sharing is a type of engagement that users are highly active in, Instagram and Facebook decided to pitch into the video-sharing ring.
So what does this mean for users and how do users decide if they want to use Instagram or Vine in their personal lives or for their business? Or maybe they want to use both?
Vine
When Instagram decided to step up the video recording market, Vine got busy developing new features to try and stay competitive with Instagram. They debuted these new features on July 3 and stated that they plan to continue rolling them out over time. Here are some of the new announced features:
• Channels: Vine introduced 15 new channels with themes so that users can sort and post videos based on theme. Each channel also has a “Popular” feed so that the top posts get highlighted each day.
• On The Rise: In an attempt to create a Vine community and engage with their users, Vine is now featuring top posts from new community members.
• Revining: This feature enables you to share other people’s posts with all of your followers. Kind of like “reposting” or “sharing”
• Protected Posts: Now when you create a Vine video you can determine if you want to share your video or keep it private.
Instagram
Some of the features that helped Instagram gain popularity were the editing and filter options. This allows users to make simple edits to their pictures right in the app. Similarly, video editing is also included in the app. Editing options are applied after the video has been shot. They are then applied in real time, so you can see them as the video plays back. Editing options include:
• Deleting frames from video sections • Image stabilization • Adding forced focus in post-production • Adding filters to change the look of your footage • Choosing a cover image from any frame in your video • Full video preview before public release.
Instagram vs. Vine
While they are similar in concept, Instagram video is not just a repackaged version of Vine. So what are the biggest differences?
f Length: Instagram videos can be as long as 15 seconds, while Vine videos have a max length of 6 seconds.
f To Loop, or Not to Loop: Some videos are funnier played on a loop. Others may be best viewed once. When you play a video on Vine, it automatically loops infinitely, while on Instagram there is no loop.
f Post-Production: Instagram has several editing options that can be applied to videos after they’ve been shot. Vine does not offer filters or image stabilization.
f Due to the differences in the two programs, a preferable solution for you is to opt for using both.
What’s next?
While Instagram videos are brand new, it is hard to tell exactly what the future will hold. One feature that many people are requesting is the ability to import and upload videos. Unlike the photo version of Instagram, the only videos that work are ones shot directly within the app. Perhaps this will be something that changes in the future. Another aspect of Instagram video that many users fret about is the use of these videos as an advertising medium.
While regular users may see advertising as a bother, business users will see it as an easy way to capitalize on video advertising in front of a captive audience. What about “reposting” directly from the application without the need of third party apps? Or being able to manage more than one account at a time? I know that our clients in Saudi Arabia are craving for this option! Or is Instagram focusing on enhancing its website since you cannot upload or share anything from it yet?
Only time will tell where Instagram will go as a platform and how it will evolve and whether Instagram’s newly added video add-on will manage to take a slice of business from Vine, or whether it would garner a whole new base of users.
— Bilal Hallab (@bilalhallab) is general manager and head, social business strategist at The Social Clinic, a social business consultancy based in Jeddah.
Instagram vs. Vine
