Instagram was created by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger and first appeared in October 2010 as a photo‑sharing app that quickly attracted millions of users and later expanded into a full multimedia platform.
Founding and launch
Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger launched the app in early October 2010 after refining a prototype called Burbn and simplifying it to focus on photo sharing, filters and social discovery.
Early growth
The app gained rapid traction after release, hitting roughly 1 million registered users within its first two months as word spread about its ease of use and distinctive visual filters.
Product evolution
What began as a pared‑down photo app evolved over the next decade into a complex social ecosystem that added videos, Stories, IGTV, Reels and a range of creator and business tools to support commerce and audience growth.
Cultural and industry impact
Instagram changed how people create and share visual content, influenced photography aesthetics, launched influencer culture and provided new distribution channels for artists and brands, reshaping social media and marketing practices worldwide.
Legacy
From a 2010 startup to a global platform, Instagram’s rapid early adoption and continued product innovation have made it a central part of modern digital culture and a key platform for creators, businesses and social interaction.