Instagram? More Like Adstagram!

When Instagram, or Facebook, whoever you want to point your finger at, announced that any photo uploaded to Instagram was legally theirs to use, users sort of freaked out. I suppose it had something to do with their photos being used for advertising or whatever without them seeing a buck of royalty. I get that.

What I don’t get is that once again, panties are in a bunch, fists are raised up in revolt, and threats of leaving Instagram are coming out. This time it’s over advertising.

That’s right. Instagram is beginning to advertise right on the app itself alongside all the selfies and over filtered images. Fortunately for us Canadians, were safe from being exposed to such filth for the time being. It’s the Americans who are the test dummies.

Anyone over the age of 18 in the U.S. of A. will be targeted by ads. And with the way web advertising has been moving lately, ads will be targeted specifically to certain users. By the photos you like, the photos you take, and what you’ve got hash tagged to them will all reflect on how Instagram will plan their ads. Facebook will be in on it too of course. Since Instagram users have their Facebooks connected to the app (at least I do) liked pages and the lot will too impact on how you’re targeted. Go ahead feel special.

From what I’ve seen so far, which is one promoted pic by Instagram itself that I punked from another blog, this doesn’t seem so bad. Maybe, and this isn’t a fact, half of Instagram users take nice photographs. You know, like a real-life photographer might. The other half (which I’ll admit I’m part of) are poorly lit, grainy, pictures slapped with a filter.

So why are well-made photographs that just so happen to have some sort of message or call to action such a bad thing? These ads will be made for you. That’s right. You there, sliding through pictures by people you don’t really like, don’t really know, and don’t really care about. These ads will get to your level, relate to you, and show you things you like, want and need. And most important of all, to get rid of them, all you need to do is flick by it like it’s a mosquito on your arm.

You don’t need to like these photos, you don’t need to share these photos. They’re there because companies you know and love want to pay money to get your attention and to tell you something they think you’d like to know. It might not seem like it, but maybe they kind of do care a little about you sort of. After all, Instagram is free. They can advertise all they want.