Facebook is testing waters with Instagram by letting Whatsapp into the picture. The company is now running a test to let users post their Instagram Stories directly to WhatsApp as a WhatsApp status.
The WhatsApp status is where a user can post videos and GIF’s as stories with encryption which will disappear after 24 hours. An Instagram Story posted on WhatsApp Status too will become encrypted. The feature is currently being tested with a small number of users.
“We are always testing ways to improve the experience on Instagram and make it easier to share any moment with the people who matter to you,” a Facebook spokesperson told a popular tech portal.
The company has added a new option on Instagram sharing screen which lets users share Stories directly to WhatsApp. When users press the ‘add to Story’ button, they will see a new menu, with the option to share stories to WhatsApp. After selecting this option, the same image or video will then appear in WhatsApp with a small Instagram logo in the bottom corner.
The move is aimed at making it easier for people to share photos, videos etc on multiple platforms simultaneously.
Instagram users can already share their Stories directly on Facebook. However, only ‘Stories’ posted on Instagram can be shared on Facebook or WhatsApp and not vice-versa.
In an effort to widen their stagnant user base Snapchat too has come out with the new ‘Stories Everywhere’ feature.
It is not known when or if a wider roll-out will take place. On the other hand, Instagram has rolled out a new feature for its users called the ‘Recommended for you’ section.
It will contain three to five suggested posts. Earlier users had to head to the ‘Explore’ section to see recommended posts and videos. Users scrolling through their home feed will now be able to see posts from accounts they directly follow alongside the ads, quite similar to Facebook’s new Explore feed. The company introduced an option for users to follow hashtags of their interest.
One of the downsides to the new ‘Recommended for you’ feature is that it cannot be disabled. Users can only choose to temporarily hide it.
