When Did Instagram Come Out? Closer Look

Summary by Editor:

Instagram was launched on October 6, 2010, as an iOS-exclusive app and gained rapid popularity.
The platform was founded by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, evolving from a project called Burbn.
Major features like Stories, Reels, and video sharing shaped its evolution.
Acquired by Facebook in 2012, Instagram became a global powerhouse in visual content sharing.

Instagram is now one of the most influential social media platforms in the world, but have you ever wondered when it all began? From a simple photo-sharing app to a global social network, Instagram’s journey is packed with innovation, growth, and key moments that shaped how we share our lives online today.

In this article, we’ll explore when Instagram came out, how it started, and the major milestones that defined its rise.

Instagram’s Launch Date

Instagram officially launched on October 6, 2010, as an iOS-exclusive app. Also, within just 24 hours, it attracted 25,000 users and within two months, the platform had surpassed 1 million downloads. The app was designed with simplicity in mind allowing users to take a photo, apply filters and instantly share it.

Who Created Instagram?

Instagram was founded by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, two Stanford University graduates. Initially, they were working on a different project called Burbn, which was meant to be a location-based app. However, after studying user behavior, they pivoted toward a more focused app for photo sharing and IG was born.

Their mission? Create an app that makes sharing moments from your phone easy and beautiful.

Early Growth and Rapid Success

The simplicity of Instagram quickly caught on. Some key early wins include;

Launch Day: 25,000 downloads in a single day
December 2010: Hit 1 million users
Mid-2011: Reached 5 million users
April 2012: Crossed 30 million users before Android release

One of the biggest boosts came in April 2012 when IG launched for Android, gaining over 1 million downloads within 24 hours. But even with this much of users gaining Instagram followers is not easy!

Major Instagram Milestones

As Instagram grew, so did its features and reach. Let’s break down some key updates.

2012 – Acquired by Facebook
- Instagram was purchased for $1 billion by Facebook (now Meta)
- Allowed deeper integration and financial backing
2013 – Video Sharing Introduced
- Users could now upload 15-second videos
- Competing directly with Vine
2016 – Instagram Stories
- Inspired by Snapchat
- Users could share photos/videos that disappear in 24 hours
2020 – Reels Launched
- Short-form video feature introduced to compete with TikTok
2021 – Shopping & Creators
- Instagram became a powerful e-commerce and content monetization tool

Why Did Instagram Become So Popular?

Here are some of the reasons behind Instagram’s unstoppable growth. So, learn more about this social giant below!

Simplicity: Easy to use interface with instant gratification
Visual-first Design: Focused entirely on photo and video
Community: Hashtags, comments, and DMs encouraged engagement
Trendy Features: Regular updates kept it competitive
Platform Integration: Seamless sharing to Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Fun Facts About IG

The first photo ever uploaded was of a dog by co-founder Kevin Systrom
Instagram’s logo has evolved 3 times
“Instagrammable” is now an official word in some dictionaries
Celebrities like Selena Gomez and Cristiano Ronaldo rank among top followed accounts

Final Thoughts

Instagram didn’t just appear out of nowhere. It came from a vision of simplifying photo sharing, evolved through user feedback and grew into a powerful force in digital culture. Whether you’re using it to showcase photography, build a brand, or scroll for memes, its impact on modern communication is undeniable.