Instagram tightens rein on third-party apps

Photo courtesy of TechCrunch

After a security issue with third-party app InstaAgent, Instagram looks to be cracking down on its third-party apps and limiting what they can offer Instagram users. The company revised its API policy and isn’t taking any new apps at the moment that want to integrate into its service. Applications will reopen next month but Instagram is limiting functions for third-party apps. These services can still pull from photos you’ve posted yourself but you can’t pull full Instagram feeds once the new restrictions are in place. Existing apps have until June 1^st to comply with the new policies and undergo the new review process.

Source: The Verge

Instagram tested out curated video channel on Halloween

It’s not the most imaginative name for a new curated video channel but Instagram has tested its “Best Videos” feature on Halloween. The videos were bundled under the headline “Watch Halloween’s best videos.” From there, users could see everything from dogs dressed as Stormtroopers, Miley Cyrus singing “Ghostbusters,” to video-editing assisted Halloween magic tricks. The feature went live at around 1 p.m. on Halloween and Instagram was said to have added videos for about 24 hours. Users were able to submit their 15-second clips by tagging them with the hashtag #IGHalloween. Perhaps we shall be seeing this feature more in other upcoming holidays and big news events and festivals.

Source: Engadget

Instagram pins blame on Apple for its anti-nudity stance

We’re sure you’ve heard of the #freethenipple movement on Instagram. It’s a protest against Instagram who quickly pulls down posts with women’s nipples (weirdly enough they don’t do it for the males, but that's a different discussion altogether). They take these down even if the shot isn’t pornographic. Why do they do that? According to Instagram CEO Kevyn Systrom, it’s because of Apple. It’s done order to keep their existing 12+ rating and get a wider audience. Only apps with 17+ rating get to show explicit content. It’s worth noting though that Twitter has tons of porn accounts and posts even with its 4+ year old rating and the app’s still on the App Store.

Source: Business Insider + Mic | Via: Engadget

Instagram now allows for 30-second ads on its platform

Instagram is giving brands more room to work with by allowing them to have ads that last up to 30 seconds long. Companies will also be able to use the new landscape format for their photo and video ads. Ads are already available in over 30 new countries, including India, Italy, Mexico, Spain, and South Korea. It’ll be launching in more markets around the world on September 30^th.

The social network also promises to offer brands optimization tools to help them reach users both on Instagram and Facebook. They’re also introducing a new premium product called Marquee. Instagram describes it as a way to help “drive mass awareness and expanded reach in a short time-frame—perfect for events like movie premieres and new product launches.”

Source: Instagram | Via: The Next Web