Instagram adding Live Video and Snapchat style messaging [@SmartInsights Alert]

Disappearing image or video messaging available now and Live video is coming soon

Instagram announced another update their platform this week. Instagram Stories will allow you to broadcast video to your followers as well as being accessible via Explore. Every user of Instagram is now able to send disappearing videos and photos to their friends or groups using Instagram Direct.

Instagram Stories have been a massive success for the platform since they launched a few months back, with over 100 million people using the feature every day. Not bad when you think the feature has only been around since August this year. Stories have proved particularly successful for influencers and brands looking to build a community following. One limitation of Stories is they only last 24 hours but this limitation encourages new content creation on a daily basis, which in turn keeps their followers heading back into the app, so they don't miss a beat -making Instagram almost indispensable.

Live Video - To be rolled out in the coming weeks

Live Video for Instagram Stories is being pitched as a way to help you connect with your friends and followers who are there to share a moment with you. It is interesting that your stop recording any trace that you were there will have disappeared, which may help the more camera shy of us use live video. I'm looking forward to seeing how brands adopt this new way to communicate with their audience.

Going live couldn't be easier - Just swipe right to access the camera and hit "Start Live Video". The only limitation you have is that you can only broadcast for up to an hour, which should be plenty for even the most seasoned influencer or brand.

Live video on Instagram Stories and Explore will be rolling out globally over the next few weeks.

Disappearing Video & Photos in Instagram Direct for Friends and Groups - Available now

Like Stories, Direct messaging has proved to be just as popular with Instagram users, according to Instagram, global monthly users of this feature have grown from 80 million to 300 million in the last year.

This feature feels like they have taken the best aspects of Snapchat and Whatsapp, mixed them together and produced a great addition to the app. By adding the ability for users to send photos and videos that disappear once viewed directly to groups and individuals, they are once again encouraging users to live in the moment. A nice addition is the ability for the sender to see if the image or video has been viewed and also is the recipient has taken a screenshot.To give it a try - open the app, swipe right to open the camera, take a photo or video, then hit the arrow in the top right to send it privately to one of your groups or friends.

To give it a try right now - open the app, swipe right to open the camera, take a photo or video, then hit the arrow in the top right to send it privately to one of your groups or friends.