Instagram Adds Two Features: Live Video and Disappearing Messages

Instagram this week added two new features to its platform: live video on Instagram Stories and disappearing photos and videos for groups and friends in Instagram Direct.

Live video builds on the launch of Stories in August, which the company described as a “new feature that lets you share all the moments of your day, not just the ones you want to keep on your profile.” According to the company, over 100 million people now use it every day.

Live video lasts up to one hour and the content vanishes when the video stops. While it’s live, users can comment and like as usual. There will also be a tab to discover live content.

Disappearing videos and photos can also be sent to friends and groups in the app. These photos and videos disappear from your friends’ inboxes after they have seen them. And you’ll see if they replayed it or took a screenshot.

“Since launching improvements to Instagram Direct last year, the number of people using Direct each month has grown from 80 million to 300 million people around the world,” Instagram says.

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