Well, Instagram users, you have been heard and the co-founder of Instagram Ken Systrom has responded to clarify the policy in layman terms. Everyone got all shook up over the policy changes, including Instagram and now we have further words from the co-founder.
Advertising intentions under the new Instagram policy
Ken Systrom has clearly stated that Instagram never intended to sell users photos. He did say that Instagram is a business, and that the advertising terms in the new policy changes where to help Instagram further their business model. This will not be done through selling images posted through users, but it does not state how the advertising policy will be used to further develop the business model of Instagram. The laymen terms are loose and the advertising strategy not openly shared, but users photos will not be sold in a similar fashion to that of stock photo agencies. But how will the new advertising model effect users and how will this impact how users photos are used.
“Our main goal is to avoid things like advertising banners you see in other apps that would hurt the Instagram user experience. Instead, we want to create meaningful ways to help you discover new and interesting accounts and content while building a self-sustaining business at the same time.”
Instagram photo ownership defined
Instagram does not claim to own any of the photos posted by users on Instagram. But photo ownership is a different animal to copyright and will the new policy enable your consent to photo licensing within Instagram. It is still a bit grey but at least Instagram is stating that they recognize they do not own the photos…the question is….licensing and if you are giving up or agreeing to any licensing issues when you use Instagram. Hmmmm…..
Privacy settings
These setting are determined by the user and Instagram will maintain the privacy settings that account users choose. If you choose Public for your settings, then that would imply…….how public. Just a question to ask Mr. Systrom and hopefully an answer will follow right behind this important question.
Instagram policy reaction today. Tomorrow is another Instagram day.
Instagram users are relieved but no all have regained trust. It was great to have the immediate public response from the co-founder to the hundreds of blog posts that have followed this annoucement, but users are sitting on the edge of their seat, wondering, how, this, will, all pan out…
The initial policy put forth to the public was a test, a test to see how users would react. Is this the best way to set policy, by community reaction, and outcry. Or would it be best to determine a fair and clear policy that clearly stated the intentions of the policy without the reaction. The Facebook gang loves to make waves and loves to create critical mass online to get press. From a marketing perspective, their policy accomplished that.
So the final question is, was this policy change an intented stock photo business strategy or was it a marketing strategy?
