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According to Instagram, "Instagram is a free photo and video sharing app available on Apple iOS, Android and Windows Phone. People can upload photos or videos to our service and share them with their followers or with a select group of friends. They can also view, comment and like posts shared by their friends on Instagram."

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University of Waterloo
4th Year Computer Science

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https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/23/17157618/instagram-desktop-browser-mobile-app

https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/12/18222246/instagram-direct-messages-dm-web

https://techcrunch.com/2019/02/12/instagram-direct-desktop/

https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/7/16740280/instagram-direct-messaging-app-test-standalone

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Seen below is a poll conducting by the Verge.

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According to app researcher Jane Manchun Wong, Instagram is currently internally testing the direct messaging feature for their website on desktop and mobile, as seen in the below images.

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Web on Desktop:

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Web on Mobile:

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- Users are able to chat with their friends
- Users can send each other posts and stories from other users

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Instagram is accessible through the website - www.instagram.com
- on Desktop and Mobile

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1. Photo/Video Uploads

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2. Add to Stories

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3. Direct Messaging

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Image from https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/23/17157618/instagram-desktop-browser-mobile-app

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- There is a small difference between the percentage of people who prefer the mobile application and website.

- If direct messaging is available on Instagram's website, an increase in people who prefer the web browser version will be seen.

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Future development might include a separate Instagram direct messaging website like Facebook has with Messenger.

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4. Direct access to Shopping from posts

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Additional features can be introduced that are not available in the mobile application.

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Since Instagram has been competing with Snapchat, adding this feature will once again put Instagram in the forefront.

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- Facebook has plans of merging Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram, allowing users to message each other across these platforms.

- Addition of Direct Messaging to the website could be a step towards merge being available on applications and the web.

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Some of these features are available on the mobile website but not on the desktop website.