More than a year ago, Systrom announced that Instragram was coming to Android, although it only became available last week. However, Systrom has explained why it took so long.
“We saw an opportunity to be really good at one thing, [which is the iOS app] and it turns out that helped us,” he said.
“It wasn’t because we felt like Android wasn’t an opportunity we wanted to go after… It’s more that we were three people trying to keep the site up.”
“Everything became a priority, and because everything became a priority we had to focus on what was most important, which was to keep the site going and make users really happy.”
While Instagram is notorious for taking its time with certain developments – namely its Android app – it also makes a point of surprising users with technology updates.
Last year, it introduced a complete upgrade to Instagram’s camera, with a brand-new technology layer. This included live filters, instant tilt-shift, high-resolution photos and one-click rotation.
But rather than throwing users in the deep end and expecting them to work out new features on their own, Instagram regularly offers users tips to ensure they get the most out of the application.
“Instagram Tips is a series that features Instagram-related pro-tips for both novice and expert users alike! Check out the Support Centre for more tips and help,” Instagram says on its site.
In August last year, Instragram added a fifth staff member to its ranks but, unlike previous hires, this one was not an engineer.
Jessica Stollman joined the team as a community evangelist. Zollman was already known to Instragram as a devoted fan – she chased down an invite to use the app during its beta stage.
According to Systrom, Zollman was hired to help manage and nurture all aspects of the company’s relationship with its fan base – a seemingly simple yet underrated job.
“[The role encompasses] everything from community outreach to holding events, to writing on our blog, to helping people with their technical support issues,” Systrom said.
No start-up should underestimate the value of winning awards, particularly in the early days, when marketing budgets are non-existent and no one knows your name yet.
Instragram has an impressive number of awards under its belt, ensuring its validity not only among users but among prospective investors.
In January last year, Instragram was the runner-up for Best Mobile App at the 2010 TechCrunch Crunchies Awards, and was named Best Locally Made App in the SF Weekly Web Awards.
Then in December, Apple named Instagram App of the Year for 2011 – a major coup for the young company. Both Systrom and Krieger have also been featured in various publications.
Despite Instagram’s popularity, Systrom and Krieger have always remained humble, maintaining focus on the task at hand while being honest about their mistakes.
“Instagram is an app that only took eight weeks to build and ship, but was a product of over a year of work,” Systrom wrote in a blog post.
“We spent one week prototyping a version that focused solely on photos. It was pretty awful. So we went back to creating a native version of Burbn.”
“We actually got an entire version of Burbn done as an iPhone app, but it felt cluttered and overrun with features.”
“We went out on a limb and basically cut everything in the Burbn app except for its photo, comment and like capabilities. What remained was Instagram.”
