It happened yesterday: Instagram added video functionality. Users can now take 15 second videos, add a filter to them and publish them to the world. Well, at least a portion of it. What does this mean for brands and users? Well, I think it offers a big opportunity to brands that have the creativity and time to make proper use of the opportunity; however we will no doubt be subjected to endless amounts of dross, interjected with some great stuff.
As an avid user of the service on a personal level, I'm a tad concerned. I hate selfies (see rant here), and I have a horrible feeling that people are going to think that we want to see 15-second videos selfies. 15 seconds of close-up 'look here's my face, ain't it pretty' footage. Shudder.
Instagram was simple - take a pic, maybe add a fiter and post. You could dip into in to and quickly see some pretty cool stuff either in your stream or by using hashtags to search. Video goes a long way to killing that simplicity. 15 seconds is a long time to waste on something that sucks. I'll be watching with intrigue at how it progresses.
Enough from me, what do the other Penguins think?
Steven Sefton - 'Big fan. If a picture can tell a thousand words, then what can video say, a hell of a lot. Some brands on Instagram like Nike and Sharpie have been really creative so I'm looking forward to seeing what they have up their sleeves next'
Stacy Nelson - 'I think they're looking at the popularity of Vine and saying, "hey, we can do that!" But the two types of platform - video and static image - work well separately, possibly even better, than this smoosh. My problem with video is that I browse Instagram if I have a few minutes on the train or in a waiting room. I don't do that with Vine because it's too noisy! I'm sure I'll be loving it in a month or two, but for now my attitude is 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it.' Especially if it means I need to get my headphones out'
Harriet Rhodes- 'I think this is a boon for creative brands, I think as Steven nodded towards, there's going to be some really exciting stuff coming out. it might not seem a lot but an extra 9 seconds could make a big difference and I'm sure there will be plenty of development for extra filters / add-ons that will lend itself to more experimental pieces. I'd like to see embedding become an option though so it's not just limited to platform shares' A mixed view from some of The Social Penguin Team!
Is Vine set to be Snipped?
Does Instagram video put the fear of death into Vine? Is 6 seconds enough? Does the longevity of 15 seconds offer more satisfaction? I've never really got into Vine, however I do like and use Instagram at a pretty high level - the addition of video may drop this a little for me, but that remains to be seen. Does the fact that Instagram Video sits compactly within an already slick and popular app, without the need for the user to go anywhere else give it an instant impact? I think so. Vine could well be in trouble.
Over to you...
What do you think about Instagram video? Will you be using it? Will it ruin your experience? Will Vine still be on your radar?