Instagrammers worldwide, rejoice! (I know I am). Instead of relying on the phone app, the social network is now allowing users to publish photographs and videos from a browser. The feature will be made available globally later this week.
One of Instagram‘s most often requested features is the ability to post from the desktop. Some of us, including myself, have gone to tremendous efforts to post directly from a computer to the platform. I’ve tried using the Android version on Chrome OS, as well as simulating it on Windows with Bluestacks. This official means of uploading from a browser, on the other hand, will be far more streamlined than other third-party options.
Previously, you could view your Instagram feed through the browser, but solely for messaging and checking changes. For years, the social network was a phone-only app, but as the creator economy took off (with Instagram being one of the key platforms), the Facebook-owned platform needed to evolve to allow for greater flexibility.
Instagram also introduced a number of new features aimed at increasing creativity (and compete with TikTok). The business intends to extend its collaborative features to make it easier for users to co-author articles and Reels. Fundraiser prompts have also been updated so that you may start a fund straight through Instagram and easily guide others to where they can donate. And Reels will get some music features, like Superbeat, which adds effects to a video based on the beat of a song, and 3D lyrics, which shows song lyrics in sync with the melody.
According to TechCrunch, the co-authoring feature is now in testing. By tagging each other, users will be able to invite another account to collaborate. Once the other user accepts the tag, both usernames will be shown as authors in the Reel, citing both creators for the work. They will also share a view count, a like count, and a comment thread. Since July, the business has been testing the function.
The new Collabs features will be available this week, with the fundraising tool launching on Wednesday, October 20. Beginning Oct. 21, the new music effects and the ability to create Instagram posts from a desktop will be available.
How to post on Instagram from desktop
1. Go to Instagram’s website in a desktop browser and log in if needed.
2. Click the + (plus) symbol at the top of the page to start a post.
4. Your selected image will appear in the window. Use the magnifying glass in the bottom-left corner to zoom in on the image and crop it, or use the two arrow icon to the left of that to select a specific aspect ratio for the post. If you want to add more images, click the circle with overlapping squares in the bottom-right corner and tap the resulting plus sign to add media. When you’re done, click Next.
5. Choose a filter or click the Adjustments tab to adjust levels of brightness, contrast, and other elements. Then click Next.
6. Click the photo to tag accounts, or use the form on the right of image to add a caption, location, or alt text (via the Accessibility dropdown), or turn off commenting (via the Advanced settings dropdown). Then click Share to post to your Instagram feed.