Instagram news and archive

Fake influencers cost brands more than 200 million dollars

Gone are the days when social media was simply a way of sharing holiday snaps and videos of dogs being cute. Now, more than ever, social media platforms like Instagram are becoming powerhouses in the world of online advertising, bringing with them the rising problem of “follower fraud”. The problem arises when Instagram users pay fake or...

Fashion Featured

Is fashion's love affair with Instagram in danger?

On the heels of the revelations that Cambridge Analytica used the fashion preferences of Facebook users to manipulate them politically, with sets of data revealing that Vogue readers and Abercrombie & Fitch shoppers were considered to be more liberal and open-minded than customers who liked Wrangler, we’re more suspicious of social media than...

Retail

Shop & Cop: Snapchat launches dedicated shopping channel ahead of Black Friday

Where do you go for the best deals and discounts? Snapchat wants to be that place. The social app has launched a dedicated shopping channel where users can find exclusive drops and offers. The timing couldn’t be better: right ahead of Black Friday. Named Shop & Cop, the feature is only available for US users for now. Displayed in the app’s...

Fashion

Instagram introduces three new shopping features in time for Christmas

Social media giant Instagram has further expanded its shopping features just in time for the Christmas shopping period. The three new features were announced on the photo-and-video-sharing platform’s press page and come hot on the heels of the ‘Product Stickers’ feature which was introduced in September. “‘Tis the season of wish lists and gift...

Retail

Drop culture is coming to IKEA

It looks like the ‘hype’ sales tactic employed by the likes of Supreme and Burberry has spread to the world of furniture. Ikea has announced on Instagram that it is launching limited-edition T-shirts in the Netherlands to celebrate its 75th birthday. With catchy phrases like ‘Billy is my homeboy’, Ikea is paying tribute to their own bestselling...

BusinessFeatured

Consumers suspicious about in-app social media shopping

While social networks such as Instagram and Snapchat have been working hard to become go-to places for shopping, consumers do not seem so excited about “buy now buttons” as one would expect, according to new research by digital commerce consulting firm Sumo Heavy Industries. The study surveyed 1046 Americans aged 18 or older to explore the...

Retail

Snapchat teams up with Amazon to launch visual search tool

Snap Inc., the company behind messaging app Snapchat, has announced a new tool in partnership with e-commerce giant Amazon. Beginning this week, Snapchat users are able to search for products on Amazon by pointing the Snapchat camera at a physical product or bar code. “When the item or bar code is recognized, an Amazon card will appear...

People

Instagram’s founders are leaving the company

Instagram’s founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger are leaving the company eight years after its launch and six years after its acquisition by Facebook. “We’re now ready for our next chapter”, the duo wrote in a statement published on Instagram’s blog. They said they will take some time off to “explore our curiosity and creativity again”, in...

Retail

Instagram to launch shopping app

Instagram is thought to be launching a shopping app, making it a de-facto platform for visual storytelling and consumer shopping. As was reported by the Verge, Instagram’s new app, already dubbed IG Shopping, will let users browse collections of goods from brands that they follow and purchase them directly within the app. According to The Verge,...

Fashion Featured

Shopping for hashtags: Snap and send back

Keeping thousands of Instagram followers entertained with photo updates requires a versatile wardrobe at the least. For those who are considered influencers, the fashion worn in photo’s is crucial, as their unique style becomes a gateway to business opportunities and earning potential from social media. This is why the hashtag ‘outfit of the day...

BusinessFeatured

Is influencer marketing a bubble just waiting to burst?

Influencer marketing is in full bloom. As traditional media outlets shut their doors or struggle to make ends meet, a growing number of companies opt to advertise on popular social media profiles. A staggering 78 percent of American and European marketers worked with influencers last year, according to Launchmetrics’ latest report on the state...

NewsFeatured

Tips, tricks, and advice on making it in the fashion industry

The fashion industry is changing so rapidly that it may feel overwhelming for newcomers in the field to stay up to date. This is why FashionUnited has compiled a series of articles with expert advice, tips and information on staying relevant in the fashion world. Whether you're student, job applicant or a business owner, these articles may help...