- Instagram has launched a new feature called 'Instants', designed for sharing spontaneous, unfiltered photos that are immediately posted to followers, which has caused frustration among some users.
- The feature allows users to take a photo that is instantly sent out, with an 'undo' button available, but many users were unaware of the immediate sharing and accidentally posted pictures they only intended to test.
- Instants are ephemeral, appearing alongside direct messages and can only be opened once, with Instagram stressing that they cannot be screenshotted or screen recorded.
- Users can find Instants in their Instagram inbox and may receive notifications when friends share one, with a companion app also released to facilitate its use.
- Despite disappearing for followers after being viewed, Instants are saved in a private archive from which they can be posted as a 'recap', and the feature has been noted for borrowing functionality from rival app Snapchat.
IN FULL
Instants: Instagram launches major new feature – and users are immediately upset
