The Ultimate Guide to Using Instagram Online

collage of instagram online photos

Ever since Facebook bought Instagram for 1B dollars, acquisitions have blown up like crazy! You have companies like Snapchat and Whatsapp coming out of the woodwork like nobody’s business and setting outrageous purchase prices. But that’s not what we are here to talk about. We are here to talk about how to use Instagram Online. Over the course of the next year, I plan to continue adding to this guide so that you can understand the ins and outs of Instagram. But first, if you want to follow me on Instagram, check me out @DavidGoecke

What is Instagram?

Instagram is an online mobile photo-sharing and video-sharing social networking application that allow you to share your memories with friends. It launched in October 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger gaining over 100M active users by April 2012. It is primarily used on your mobile phone (Andorid, Apple, Windows) and does not have an online interface.

By April 2012, Facebook acquired Instagram for approximately US$1 billion in cash and stock options. The following year, Instagram grew by 23%. According to an Instagram blog post, the community has exceeded 200 million users sharing over 20 billion photos as of April.

So if you haven’t joined the social network where images and video are the primary means of communication, download the app from your mobile app store and sign up today!

How to Tell a Compelling Story on Instagram?

Just like any other social media presence, every profile tells a story. So how do you tell a compelling Instagram story?

First, use images that create an emotional conversation. Tapping into and resonating with your audience will help you tell a story worth listening to.

Second, answer the who, what, and why aspects of the story, or leave the user answering the question for themselves.

Third, emphasize consistency and support your story with your biography, links, and other social media accounts.

How to Save a Picture from Instagram?

Download OTHER people’s photos:

You can do this one of many ways.

  1. Take a screenshot from your own mobile device.
  2. Open their profile on your computer (laptop, desktop, tablet) and take a screenshot.
  3. Use a tool online like Instagrabbr and simply download a photo by the username.

Download YOUR OWN photos:

You can also do this a couple different ways.

  1. From your mobile device, open Instagram settings and “Save original photos.”
  2. Take a screenshot from your mobile device.
  3. Download all your photos at one time using Instaport, which is a free tool.

What are Hashtags?

The word hashtag is referring to the number sign or the # sign that looks like a tic-tac-toe board. When you put this sign in front of a word, it becomes a “hashtag.” For example, “#design” would be referenced to as “hashtag design.”

So how is this helpful? Well when you post a picture or video on Instagram, you can add categories with hashtags in front of them, and that will tag your image with those categories. Using hashtags creates a link to all the other photos in that category. For example, if I posted a photo of a flower and put “#flower” in the description, then anyone else who uses a hashtag flower will also see my post.

So what do you use it for? Well, if you wanted to look for all the posts with #flowers tagged on them, you could simply search instagram by using the hashtag keyword of #flower to find them.

If you are completely lost, Instagram has a great help center response on the exact question, “How do I use #hashtags?

To find good hashtags, I like to use the following tools.

  • Hashtagify.me – free tool that shows related hashtags, top influences, and usage patters for hashtags in a visually appealing manner
  • Top-Hashtags.com – free list of the top hashtags by number of photos posted on Instagram. You can search for hashtags and then copy a whole block of 30 tags to use for your image. Personally one of my favorites.
  • InstagramTags.com – list of trending and popular Instagram tags for likes and follows at this very moment

Additional Tools and Resources for Instagram Online

My theory is this: If someone built a tool to help you do something quicker, faster, cheaper well, use the tool. Here are some free tools to help.

  • JustUnfollow – free tool that helps you follow and unfollow Instagram Online users
  • IconoSquare – lets you login, sync your Instagram account and like/unlike photos by mass
  • 52 Tips: How to Market on Instagram – outstanding post I found for business users who want to market and/or promote their personal brand or their business on Instagram.

What Is Your Instagram Username?

Let’s connect. Post your Instagram username in the comments and I will go like a photo!