In August 2016, Instagram* launched Stories, a feature that allowed users to take photos and videos of the present moment. Users immediately liked the tool and motivated them to watch the content regularly, because 24 hours after the story was published, it disappeared.
The format was so successful that it quickly migrated to mobile applications and websites of the largest companies. Now circles – although not disappearing after 24 hours – are in many applications and on the start pages of B2C companies, including such giants as Spotify, Ozon and Tinkoff.
Inspired by Snapchat
Despite the fact that Snapchat was the first to launch the story format, we are more familiar with the tool from another social network. In fact, in 2016, Instagram* completely copied the story functions kuwait phone number data from Snapchat, making the tool a little easier to use. In just the
first year, the daily audience of stories on Instagram* reached 250 million users – 100 million more than Snapchat had the year before.
It was Instagram* that taught users to swipe and tap, and also placed the stories feed at the top of the interface. Over time, the tool began to acquire new functions: links to brands, buttons for going to an external page, and the ability to buy directly from stories. The functions of the classic tool still serve as inspiration for developers, including the REES46 development team.
Their own “Stories”: how Russian corporations
The popular format immediately attracted the interest of corporations, including Russian ones. In 2017, Tinkoff placed its “Stories” on the main screen of the application. Here, the bank published information about products and services, special offers, tips and life hacks about finances and more. The mechanics are exactly the same as those of classic stories. With only one difference – the lifespan of the “circles” is unlimited.
Then the tool was added to the applications of banks, taxis and food delivery services. Their stories also looked more like brand media with advertising slides. This is what Samokat stories look like, for example.
But Ozon was the first to come up with the idea of expanding the functionality of stories and selling through live broadcasts within its app. In the format of photos, videos and live broadcasts, brands and buyers could tell 4 Steps to Succeed Online Today more about their product, ask questions and quickly get an answer.
Stories for sales
We released stories as a separate tool for automated powder data marketing in 2022. And now the fourth version is in development with an intuitive interface and the ability to customize – from the color of the circle to the order of the pinned highlights.