Instagram Direct: Photo-Sharing Platform Lets Users Send Pics and Videos Directly to Friends

Instagram announced Thursday a feature that will let users share photos and videos with up to 15 friends at once. Instagram Direct, which is part of the regular Instagram app, is available for iOS and Android download beginning today, but is still in beta for Windows Phone.

The company unveiled the news at a press event in New York City. Instagram shared (via the company blog):

“From a photo of your daily coffee to a sunrise shared from the top of a mountain hike, every Instagram moment contains something you find special–something you broadcast to your followers when you tap ‘share.’

There are, however, moments in our lives that we want to share, but that will be the most relevant only to a smaller group of people–an inside joke between friends captured on the go, a special family moment or even just one more photo of your new puppy. Instagram Direct helps you share these moments.â€

Instagram’s updates are similar to Snapchat’s offerings, and give the teen-loving app a run for its money. Not only can Instagram users keep the sent pics and videos, they can have conversations around them.

The announcement comes several days after Twitter announced users can share and receive photos in direct messages.

Do you plan on using Instagram Direct? Let us know in the comments section below.