Instagram might be one of the fastest growing mobile app, but not everyone using Instagram is really into its app.
To appeal those minority of users, Instagram has an update which allows it for the first time, to show notifications directly to users' browser. The feature is available for Instagram for the web, on all major browsers like Chrome, Firefox and Safari.
But before users can get the notification, Instagram will ask for users' permission first. If granted, Instagram can then notify users whenever there's any activity on their account such new followers, likes, or comments.
The functionality works on both Instagram on desktop and mobile, and has also come to Instagram Lite, the service’s alternative low-data, low-resource app.
For some reasons, like low-end smartphones and some others, there are users who prefer to use Instagram and scroll through photos from friends and people they follow, from a browser rather than the mobile app.
Although the best Instagram experience should all be on its mobile app, as Instagram can proudly announce, the company also wants to ensure that not only those true Instagram users can experience Instagram at its best (at least).
This notification feature on browsers tries to eliminate that tiny barrier of entry, especially to those who cannot or doesn't want to use Instagram's app for any reason.
This update brings the functionality of the web app (and Instagram Lite) much closer to that of the social network's native app, despite still limited. For example, users can't send direct messages yet, or upload videos. But still, they can see their timeline, upload photos, use search and view/publish Stories.
This should at least cover most Instagram basic experience.
The feature is rolling out gradually to all users.
In other news, Instagram's founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, have resigned from the company they founded. They quit six years after their photo-sharing app was acquired by Facebook.
Reports said that the two saw Mark Zuckerberg in meddling too much about Instagram, as Facebook is increasingly becoming reliant on Instagram for its future.
This also raises questions about Zuckerberg's grip on the social network, potentially eroding the perceived independence that helped make Instagram such a great success.
When the news came, shares of Facebook fell more than 2 percent in early trading.