Self destruct in 10, 9, 8…

Instagram, Snapchat and Vine. Three online photo and video-sharing social networks that dominate the app market. Why? Because photos and videos are THE new way of communicating with each other. While Facebook is losing its younger generation of users, Instagram, Vine and Snapchat are only getting bigger.

Instagram (owned by Facebook) started as a photo-sharing social network back in October 2010. In April 2012, just 1,5 years later, it already had 100 million active users. In June 2013 ‘Instagram-video’ was released. Next to sharing photos, users where now able to record 15 second-videos and add different kind of filters (effects) to it. In the first 24 hours after the release, more than 5 million videos were posted. Next to that, 45 million photos are shared every day.

(Click on the image to see the Instagram video)

Vine (owned by Twitter) is a video-sharing application where users can record 6 second movies. The short movies keep on playing after they finished and will loop continuously. Vine was released in october 2012 and in January 2013 it was already ‘#1 downloaded free app’ in the appstore. Vine’s 13 million users upload around 1 million videos per day.

(Click on the image to see the Vine video)

Snapchat is an app that lets you take photos and videos and share them with your friends. The catch is that they disappear after 10 seconds or less. Snapchat was released in September 2011 and in April 2013, about 150 million images were uploaded per day.

The philosophies of Instagram and Vine are more Similar compared to Snapchat. Snapchat, due to its self-destructing content, is more real and gritty; on the other side Instagram is all about highlighting your best moments and keeping a record; Vine is probably somewhere in-between with Twitter being slightly more disposable and not as arty as Instagram.

List of most shared content sources in the first quarter of 2013 according to Leadtail

Vine is just outside the top 10, on #15. Snapchat is not in there and Instagram video had yet to be released. We expect all 3 social networks to be in the top 10, or even top 5, next quarter ;)

Maybe you did not notice immediately, but one of the striking facts is, that this is another evolution in sharing and communication, that is totally centered around mobile and has little relevance for normal computer users. Think again!

Which photo and video-sharing social network do you prefer? Are you a ‘filter-addicted Instagrammer’, a ‘Twitter-loving Viner’ or an ‘adrenaline-seeking Snapchatter’?

IIZT is a full service communication army. We fight for brands that want to win in the social war. Get more engagement with your clients starts with relevance and understanding their behavior, needs and desires. Make a statement, work with us. contact Koen Gerretsen, call: 020 6933131

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