Facebook is making Instagram Stories a main part of its app after copying feature from Snapchat

The feature, which is currently being tested in Ireland, lets you post edited pictures and videos that disappear after 24 hours

Aatif Sulleyman
Friday 27 January 2017 13:17 GMT
Comments
The stories appear above the news feed, so users can't miss them
The stories appear above the news feed, so users can't miss them (Business Insider)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Facebook has ripped Instagram Stories, just months after the Facebook-owned photo-sharing site copied the feature from Snapchat.

Mark Zuckerberg's social network is testing a new feature called Facebook Stories, which lets you post edited pictures and videos that disappear after 24 hours.

It works in the same manner as Instagram Stories, which is almost identical to Snapchat's My Story.

Facebook Stories is shaping up as a major new feature for the site. The stories themselves have pride of place on the Facebook app, appearing as miniature circles floating above the news feed, so you can’t miss them.

Tapping a circle opens a story, and another tap lets you skip it and move onto the next.

However, the feature is currently only available to Android and iOS app users in Ireland.

“Facebook has long been the place to share with friends and family, but the way that people share is changing in significant ways,” the company told TechCrunch. “The way people share today is different to five or even two years ago — it’s much more visual, with more photos and videos than ever before.

“We want to make it fast and fun for people to share creative and expressive photos and videos with whoever they want, whenever they want.”

It’s no secret that Facebook is a long-term admirer of Snapchat, having tried to buy the company for $3 billion back in 2013.

Since that bid was rejected, Zuckerberg’s company has focused on replicating Snapchat’s biggest features.

Instagram Stories launched last August, attracting 150 million daily users in just five months, and a version of Snapchat Stories for WhatsApp – also owned by Facebook – is reportedly also in the works.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in