Instagram Stories, a strikingly similar concept to Snapchat, was launched this month with much fanfare. While the format is new to Instagram, the concept itself has been around since the launch of Snapchat Stories in October 2013. The idea is that users can create a chain of content that can be viewed an unlimited number of times over the course of 24 hours. Now, in addition to the Instagram feed we all know and love, there also exists Stories – a place to post goofy, off-the-cuff “Snapchat-style” content.
Below are a few ways that Instagram Stories differs from Snapchat:
- Instagram Stories allow you to pause or go back as the content is playing.
- Filter favorites, like the puppy face or face swap are still exclusively on Snapchat
- Instagram Stories shows you who watches your story, but not who screenshots it.
- You don’t have to follow someone to see their Instagram Stories, as long as their profile is public.
One of the best things about the platform is that businesses currently on Instagram already have a built-in audience. For businesses that have been on the fence about joining a real-time content platform, this may be the way to go. For more insight into whether Instagram stories is a good fit for your business, check out this infographic from Later.
