There is no doubt that Instagram is consistently growing. The nonstop growth of users often leads to the need for updates, and this is exactly what we are witnessing with Instagram. Originally, the interactive app was used for sharing pictures with friends. Then, the app added videos, stories, GIFs, etc. The exponential growth of users correlates to growth in technology and the app’s  abilities.

Recently, Instagram launched a new ability to re-share posts in stories. This ability can enable a broader audience reach for many companies and accounts. When users scroll over a post that interests them or they believe their followers will like, they can easily share it on their own stories with a click of a button. Of course simply sharing a post isn’t enough; Instagram also allows users to edit the post in multiple ways in order to make it their own.

This new feature is a great marketing tool for companies on Instagram because companies are able to create social media contests. For instance, this past weekend the store Anthropologie put a picture on their Instagram story and asked their followers to repost the picture and decorate it in their own style in order to be entered into a contest to win their dream vacation. Various people posted the picture, and the contest campaign had a domino effect on the users of Instagram. These types of campaigns help reach more possible followers and get even those who do not follow the company involved in the campaign.

Social media is one of the largest platforms for marketing and advertising brands, so every time Instagram (or any other social media platform) creates a new feature, companies should be the first to utilize it in order to not only get followers and users involved, but also to show fluency in current technology and different programs.