Today, Instagram disabled the capability for Twitter to properly
display Instagram photos on its Web site and in its applications, and plans to completely cut off Instagram's ability to be viewed via Twitter very soon. This is all in an attempt to direct more eyeballs to Instagram's own site, and indirectly, to steal some Twitter eyeballs. The
move doesn't come out of left field, as the two companies have evolved from allied companies to more that of direct competition. Last month, Instagram began rolling out its own web pages for its 100 MM users, and Twitter, is anticipated to introduce a photo filter capability to its mobile app.
While historically the two companies have been mutually buttressing strategic allies, particularly against Facebook, it is now clear that the period of cooperation is over, perhaps because of Instagram's purchase by Facebook. It is still a bit too early to tell, but how will Twitter users respond to this curt disconnecting of Instagram's use on Twitter? Will goodwill be hurt? Will people start using Instagram's website in more Twitter-like ways?
1 comment:
As you say, this is not too surprising, being that Instagram was acquired by Facebook. It makes sense that they try to keep more users on Facebook, and I prefer the way Facebook displays the photos over Twitter. If Twitter is also thinking about adding filters to its mobile app, then this is a good move for both companies.
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