Instagram began as a photo-sharing software in 2010, with the goal of capturing beautiful moments in our otherwise boring lives. Since then, it’s grown into a full social network, messaging app, and ad platform that’s available on both mobile and desktop.
Most Instagram users now prefer the mobile experience, which includes the classic scroll, double-tap to like, scroll, and scroll actions. However, it has been brought to our attention that some Instagram users prefer the web browser version. Which one is the best?
The Desktop or Web Version
Instagram used to be a straightforward platform: you’d open it, scroll through a bunch of photographs, like a few, and then close it. But no longer.
What started off as a simple stream of your friends’ images evolved into an infinite stream of algorithmically produced garbage, complete with auto-playing movies and advertisements. Instagram is now attempting to incorporate a TikTok clone into the mix.
This is because Meta, the parent corporation of Facebook and Instagram, is obsessed with your eyes. The more time you spend perusing and interacting with them—sharing, commenting, liking, watching a movie all the way through or, better still, purchasing something directly from the platform—the more money they make.
Apps that start off clean and simple often become crowded with more types of content, bright-red notification icons, and numerous widgets in order to entice you to do this. All in an attempt to keep your attention for as long as possible.
We are not here to take away your enjoyment of Instagram’s new features. However, if you, like the majority of us, find it all a little too much, we have a solution: the web version.
The Differences Between The Web Version & The App
Image View & Following
To begin, Instagram is fantastic on a desktop since the photographs are large, and because you don’t scroll as rapidly, you can really think about them. It’s similar to a magazine. This also means you can figure out who you don’t want to follow any longer. You can check your following also. If you don’t have that many Instagram followers then you can also buy Instagram followers.
However, some people prefer mobile because of the lack of commitment. You have more control over which photographs you linger over (and zoom in on) and others you skip over. The idea of an image taking up the entire screen is terrifying! Some people may enjoy the intimacy and warmth of mobile phones, which serve as small windows into people’s lives.
Because visuals take up the entire screen on a desktop computer, you must be aware of your surroundings and maybe look over your shoulder. It’s like letting all of your embarrassing lifestyle fantasies out. On the metro, you could make the same argument, but it’s easier to tilt your phone screen away from curious eyes.
Portability
People who work from home or spend most of their day writing emails are more likely to use a desktop for every kind of social networking. However, the majority of consumers are preferring their mobile devices to their desktop computers. Because mobile devices are always linked to a network, whether it’s WiFi or data, using them for social media is quite simple.
You can take your mobile phone anywhere with you. Like some people, even to your bathroom! Your social networking site will always be active with you, you can access them anywhere with your mobile app.
Internet Connection
The need for a constant wifi connection vs. a data plan is a significant distinction between a desktop version and a mobile app of Instagram. Mobile apps have the advantage of being able to connect to the internet via a cellular network, whereas a desktop computer often only has a WiFi connection. If you want to connect to a network with your laptop, you’ll need to use a mobile hotspot.
Keyboard
The simplicity of use of Instagram is a feature that is sometimes overlooked. Using a desktop with access to a complete physical keyboard can make it much easier to type to these networks; a desktop keyboard is easier because all ten fingers can access the keys, whereas a mobile device is frequently used with just your thumbs.
However, utilizing a mobile device to respond to comments on social media or send a short text back on Messenger is far handier. However, replying to a lengthy email on a mobile device would be more taxing. It all depends on the application’s specific use and requirements.
Multitasking
Many people prefer to multitask when using Instagram or any other social media platform. You may utilize a mobile device to access apps, modify your status, share a song, and even search the internet using voice commands. You can even use Instagram while on the phone. However, not all of these capabilities are available on the desktop version.
Tagging your friends and sending them items you know they’ll like or that you can mutually eviscerate can be a lot of fun on the app. However, it can be overpowering, and you may begin to feel as if you owe them something. The desktop is a more peaceful environment.
On the desktop version, you also can’t post photographs, making it a much more passive experience. And if you want to share an Instagram post with a buddy, you’ll need to go the extra step of copying the link and pasting it into an iMessage discussion. The desktop version also does not allow personal messages, for some that can be a huge turn-off.
Why Do We Prefer The Web Version For Viewing?
Most Instagram users presumably only use the web version of the platform, although it is also available on mobile devices. Simply navigate to Instagram.com, sign in, and begin scrolling. Your friends’ photographs are all there, and you’ll notice that Instagram’s algorithmic sorting hasn’t reached it here yet, so you can look through them in reverse chronological order like you used to.
Even better, the web edition of Instagram has no advertising or suggested posts. Although videos do not automatically play, you can watch them by hitting the play button. Nothing but photographs, movies, and Stories from the people you follow will appear.
Instagram just added the option to upload images and Stories from the web, removing the requirement to download the app in order to have a fully working account. On PC, the Instagram Story experience is also superior. For one thing, you can see when each person’s Story was published directly on the site, rather than after you’ve clicked on it.
So, if you want to do stuff like edit and publish images or connect with your pals via DM, you should stick to mobile. However, if you want to get the most out of Instagram (such as looking at large photographs), consider switching to the desktop version.
However, not everything is ideal. Scrolling on Instagram for the web can be clumsy at times, much like mobile interfaces that have been adapted for browsers. You won’t get any notifications if you don’t use the app at all. Some will regard the latter as a benefit, while others would see it as a deal-breaker.
Conclusion
Instead of utilizing a desktop to check Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, an increasing number of people are using their mobile devices. With that said, every firm is being asked whether or not individuals use a mobile device for social media instead of a desktop chevalier. We’ve attempted to answer that question for you here. Hopefully, this post has clarified which is the preferable option. Mobile users now account for the majority of traffic.
While mobile devices are gradually becoming the standard, desktop computers continue to be used. The ultimate selection of what actually works is based on budget, schedule, and accessibility, and this is what defines the ideal choice of using a mobile device for social media over a desktop.
In order to preserve the lovely moments in our otherwise dull life, Instagram started as a photo-sharing platform in 2010. Since then, it has expanded into a comprehensive social network, messaging service, and advertising platform that is accessible on both mobile and desktop.