Looks like Instagram is back to its copycat ways.
In August, Instagram received much-deserved flak when it unveiled "Stories," a feature that was an almost identical version of Snapchat's Stories feature. A similarity that Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom even owned up to and credited the competing app for the concept, admitting his app was losing users to those (ahem, teens) who preferred to share imperfect day-to-day tidbits on Snapchat instead of FOMO-inducing "highlights" on Instagram.
And now it seems the app's copycat routine continues to dance on with two new features. Only this time, Insta is also taking a cue from parent company, Facebook, with the introduction of live streaming in Stories. So, essentially it's exactly like, Facebook Live, only through the photo-sharing app.
But unlike Facebook Live, where broadcasts can permanently live on on the platform, live videos on Instagram will disappear immediately after recording ends—much like Twitter's live-stream app, Periscope.
"So you can feel more comfortable sharing anything, anytime," the Instagram writes in a blog post on Monday.
You will also be able to access trending live stories through Explore, so Instagram can hope to become home to spontaneous viral stars—like beloved Chewbacca Mom—or instant news, which were once exclusive to Facebook Live.
On Monday, Instagram also announced an update to direct messaging. Now, users will be able to send individuals or groups photos and videos that will disappear after they have viewed them. Users will also get a notification if the recipient takes a screenshot or replays the image. So basically, exactly what Snapchat is.
The only difference that Instagram can tout in its new disappearing function is it will group responses to the messages into one thread, creating a group chat, a concept currently not available in Snapchat.
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Instagram says the update is in an effort to make sharing "spontaneous," "pressure-free," and "visual"—seemingly echoing Systrom comments from earlier in the year about turning the app into a platform for increased, day-to-day use. Kevin Weil, Instagram’s head of product, also promises to The Verge that while the function seems very similar to Snapchat at the moment, it will "differentiate itself over time."
Earlier this month, Instagram unveiled three new features within Stories, including links and mentions in Stories.
While live video will begin rolling out over "the next few weeks," the direct messaging feature has already begun rolling out to users as of today. Who will you DM?
Now, watch Tinache choreograph her own selfie:
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