Instagram’s mobile website is getting a boost and they really want the whole world to be in on it.
Even if network is slow, data is pricey – you can use your mobile website to access a lite version. Oh and you can post pictures from the mobile website.
Instagram wants to be the photo app for the whole world, even if you can’t or won’t download it. In pursuit of international growth where networks are slow and data is expensive, Instagram has given its mobile website a massive upgrade that adds core features of the main app, including photo sharing and a lightweight version of the Explore tab.
Until recently, you could only browse, Like, follow, search, and see notifications on the stripped-down mobile web site and desktop site. Well, you still can’t post on the desktop site. Although, in March you could start posting from the mobile webpage, right now there a new lightweight Explore tab available, too. No signs of video uploads, filters, Stories, and Direct Messaging yet.
Instagram told TechCrunch, “Instagram.com (accessed from mobile) is a web experience optimized for mobile phones. It’s designed to help people have a fuller experience on Instagram no matter what device or network they are on.”
According to TechCrunch’s report, many users in the developing world may not have a fast enough cellular network to conveniently download Instagram’s app. Their phones don’t always have enough storage to download it without sacrificing other apps or content. And the data cost of downloading the app can be prohibitive.
With the slightly beefed up mobile web version, users can skip the app download’s wait time, data costs, and storage needs while still getting the basic functionality. Whether you could be getting a Instagram lite – as Facebook and Messenger (Facebook is the parent company of Instagram) has had – well, no news on that yet.
