Social Media Instagram 315 315 people found this article helpful 5 Ways People Are Using Instagram It's not just for selfies anymore by Elise Moreau Freelance Contributor Elise Moreau is a writer that has covered social media, texting, messaging, and streaming for Lifewire. Her work has appeared on Techvibes, SlashGear, Lifehack and others. our editorial process Facebook Twitter Elise Moreau Updated on February 11, 2021 Tweet Share Email Instagram The Ultimate Guide to Instagram Instagram has been around since 2010. As the app has grown in popularity, both individual and business users have found new ways to take advantage of the social media platform. There will always be selfies, sunset photos, and hashtag overuse. Here are five popular ways Instagram users now interact with their followers, post content, and find their artistic side. 01 of 05 Professionally Edited Photo Sharing Fran Polito / Getty Images Instagram has become more than a platform for sharing what's happening at the moment. It's become a place to publicly share the best photos possible, often professionally captured and edited. Go to the Instagram Explore tab to check out the most popular Instagram photos being shared. Many are high-resolution photos, without filters, that were likely taken with a good quality camera and edited professionally. Visit the Instagram #Explore Page 02 of 05 Professionally Edited Video Sharing Erin Patrice O'Brien / Getty Images Video is widely used and very popular on Instagram. Upload pre-recorded 15-second videos, as well as live video. The pre-recorded video-upload feature allows individuals and businesses to film videos using a real camera, edit videos on a computer, and then post those videos later to Instagram. There are also countless video-editor apps for mobile devices that showcase numerous clips in a professional style and add fancy effects. Learn How to Post Instagram Video 03 of 05 Business Brand-Building Businesses take advantage of Instagram's reach and power to stay relevant on the web and grab more views. Instagram offers businesses an opportunity to show off their logos, product lines, current event snapshots, storefront locations, and anything that generates likes and comments from followers. Learn About Businesses on Instagram 04 of 05 Promotional Contests Following the brand-building trend, many businesses launch contests on Instagram to generate more buzz about their offering, drive up interaction, and reach more potential customers. Business accounts sometimes offer the chance to win something for free if users agree to take some action. These actions may include following them on certain social media sites, tagging a friend, and reposting content. Instagram contests help businesses go viral and keep their current followers engaged. Learn About Instagram Promotions 05 of 05 Shoutouts Tara Moore / Getty Images An Instagram shoutout is just what it sounds like. It's a public plug or endorsement you get from another user. Shoutout posts often involve photos or videos from the account they're shouting out. A shoutout is a fast and effective way to build followers on Instagram. Some of the biggest Instagram accounts use shoutouts as part of their growth strategy. By getting featured on another account, users can gain new followers in a matter of seconds. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Email Address Sign up There was an error. Please try again. You're in! Thanks for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Thank you for signing up. Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit