Instagram was officially launched on October 6, 2010. That is usually the date meant when you ask when Instagram was founded. The idea for the app emerged earlier. Are you looking for the date for a quiz or presentation? Then use October 6, 2010: the start for users, not the legal founding date or the later acquisition by Facebook.
Below, you can read who created Instagram, what its predecessor Burbn was, and how the app changed afterward.
When did Instagram officially begin?
The official start is the day you could find Instagram in the App Store. The TechCrunch report about Instagram’s launch appeared on that same day.
The first idea, the launch, and the acquisition were different moments. This timeline shows what each date means.
| Moment | When? | What does it mean? |
|---|---|---|
| The idea and development | Before the launch | The creators worked on a predecessor to Instagram. This does not provide an exact birthday for the app. |
| Official launch | October 6, 2010 | Instagram appeared in the App Store. |
| Announcement of the acquisition | April 9, 2012 | Facebook announced an agreement to buy Instagram. |
Who founded Instagram and what was Burbn?
Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger are the founders of Instagram. Facebook did not create or launch the app.
Instagram’s predecessor was called Burbn. Among other things, the app allowed you to share where you were and post photos. Burbn therefore had a broader setup than Instagram.
With Instagram, the creators chose to focus on taking, editing, and sharing photos. So the first idea was not yet the app that later became available to everyone.
When did Facebook announce the acquisition of Instagram?
On April 9, 2012, Facebook announced an agreement to buy Instagram for approximately 1 billion dollars in cash and shares. This is stated in Facebook’s official announcement about the acquisition.
This was the announcement of the agreement. It does not mean that the purchase was fully completed that day. Therefore, refer to April 9, 2012 as the announcement date, not the day everything was finalized.
You can read more about this difference in the article about when Facebook bought Instagram.
How did Instagram change after its launch?
Instagram began as a photo app. Later, other formats were added, such as Stories and Reels. Instagram is now part of Meta, the parent company that also includes Facebook.
The early idea was simple: you could edit and share an everyday photo. Think of a photo of your lunch or a day at the seaside. You did not need to write a long message with it.
That helps explain why the app was appealing. It does not by itself explain why Instagram grew so quickly. For that, you also need to consider how people discovered and used the app, and when the app appeared.
What can you learn from Instagram’s history?
For your own profile, you can take something from that early focus on photos: first decide what you want to show. Then choose the format that suits it. You do not need to use every type of post.
- Showing a result: for example, post a photo of a homemade cake.
- Explaining an action: for example, make a short video showing how you apply the icing.
- Explaining something as a creator or shop: choose one specific detail to show instead of explaining everything at once.
These examples help you choose what to post. They do not guarantee that more people will see your post. Instagram’s growth also does not indicate how quickly your own account will grow.
Would you like to continue with your own posts? Then check out the tips for more likes on Instagram. Would you rather place less emphasis on the visible numbers below your photos? Read how to hide Instagram likes work. If you also publish your own content, our Instagram services includes packages for followers and likes. The product pages show the available quantities and prices.
