Apr 26, 2017

Instagram growth explodes

Instagram announced Wednesday that it has amassed 700 million monthly active users (MAU) since launching in 2010, a more than 16% increase in just four months, and a 40% increase in one year.

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Data: Instagram; Chart: Andrew Witherspoon / Axios

Why it matters: Instagram announced the growth achievement the same day Twitter reported its Q1 earnings, where it touted a 2.8% quarterly increase in monthly active users to to 328 million — still less than half of the user base of Instagram, which is four years younger. Instagram rival Snapchat will also be taking note of these numbers, as its audience has dwindled since Instagram launched a copycat stories feature in August. Instagram's stories audience has increased so quickly that it surpassed Snapchat's total audience by nearly 40 million MAU a few weeks ago.

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Rashaan Ayesh

Soccer stars score big with Instagram

Data: Hookit; Chart: Danielle Alberti/Axios

Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest paid athlete on Instagram, according to a study by analytics company HooperHQ, raking in more than twice what he earns from his contract with Juventus.

The big picture: The power of social media not only highlights soccer’s global reach, but also provides top athletes with another revenue stream in a sport where a single injury can end a career. In 2019, 49 sponsored Instagram posts earned Ronaldo $47.8 million, about $14.7 million more than he's paid by Juventus.

Go deeperDec 26, 2019

Ina Fried

The dangerous side of limiting Twitter replies

Illustration: Lazaro Gamio/Axios

Twitter's plan to allow users to control who can reply to their posts, announced Wednesday, is largely welcome news for those who are routinely harassed on the service — including many people of color, women, LGBTQ+ folks and other groups often targeted by online mobs.

Why it matters: It could create an even riper environment for misinformation — especially when combined with Twitter's policy of allowing elected officials' tweets to stand, even when they violate the rules that apply to other users.

Go deeperJan 9, 2020

Sara Fischer

HBO Max will lean into mobile viewing

Photo: Consumer Technology Association

The HBO Max team is looking at ways to make the streaming service more mobile-friendly than some of its subscription video competitors.

Why it matters: If AT&T can build an app that can successfully leans into mobile, it may be able to capture an audience that Netflix and Hulu have intentionally been less focused on, at least to date.

Go deeperJan 14, 2020