Instagram has announced a new private
messaging feature called Instagram Direct, which will allow users to send a
photo or video privately to up to fifteen followers.
"Sometimes you want to be able to share not with everyone,
but just a specific group," Instagram founder Kevin Systrom said at the
company's announcement in New York.
An update to the Facebook-owned Instagram mobile app released Thursday
includes a new tab labeled, "direct," Users can tap that tab to send
photos specifically to their friends and have conversations around those
photos. There will also be a new option to "send to 1" on the app.
The direct messaging feature will work in real time, enabling
users to tell which of their friends have viewed the photo. They'll also be
able to chat with friends in real time.
"It's like you're gathering people around a photo or moment
and being able to have a conversation around them," Systrom said.
Unlike the copious rival messaging services, including Twitter (TWTR),
WhatsApp,Google (GOOG, Fortune 500) Hangouts, Facebook (FB, Fortune 500) Messenger
and scores of others, Instagram users can only direct-message text along with
photos. Messaging private texts only isn't an option.
Systrom noted that the feature is in its earliest stages. Right
now, users can choose which friends they want send directly to. In the future,
there could be the opportunity to create groups or send multiple pictures
directly.
Systrom dismissed rumors that Instagram would launch a Snapchat-like, feature, enabling users to let their
direct images and messages disappear after a set time.
"What we're best at is archiving and sharing with their
friends," he said.
Systrom also addressed Instagram's ongoing effort to advertise. Instragram launched adson its service for the first
time this year, but -- at least for now -- Instagram Direct will remain ad-free.
"It's way too early to
advertise on Instagram Direct," he insisted. from money.cnn.com
