Love Instagram? Love photo collages? Then you’re in luck! Instagram announced the debut of Layout, a new app that allows users to create and post high-resolution photo collages.
Like the launch of its timelapse app Hyperlapese, Instagram sought to address a need from its user-base with this new application. One in five monthly active Instagram users creates at least one photo collage, the company reported to TechCrunch, primarily using third-party tools like Pic Stitch, InstaCollage, and Photo Grid,
Rather than simply echoing the offering of these pre-existing tools, Instagram’s official solution offers some unique features. The app allows you to collage up to nine photos into 16 different layouts, and currently offers “Flip” and “Mirror” effects to reorient the photos.
A “Faces” button even filters your Camera Roll to show only those photos with pictures of people. This feature could prove especially handy for content marketers looking to boost their brand’s Instagram engagement; research shows that Instagram photos with human faces in them are 38% more likely to receive likes and 32% more likely to receive comments than photos without faces.
Many marketers have already taken the app for a spin and are coming up with unique ways to express their brand with these new capabilities. Need some inspiration to put Layout to use? Well, we used the keyword search feature of the TrackMaven platform to find standout examples from the intrepid brands that have already put the new tool to use.
Mashable, for example, got meta by using a Layout creation to break the news about the app on their Instagram profile:
Shutterfly also jumped on the meta-marketing train, creating a collage of their collage-style photo books:
We were always a fan of the photo book #layout. A photo posted by @shutterfly on
Macy’s used the app to celebrate the beginning of the Spring Season and their #macysflowershow:
Here comes the bloom! #macysflowershow #macyshsq #layout
A photo posted by Macy’s (@macys) on
IHOP, Virgin America, and Taco Bell, however, all took the app for a spin with some on-brand product marketing:
One cup is never enough. #IHOP #NeverEmptyCoffeePot #Layout A photo posted by IHOP (@ihop) on
A photo posted by Taco Bell (@tacobell) on
Mood-lit #layout. A photo posted by Virgin America (@virginamerica) on
In the world of sports, the app seemed to truly catch the attention of social media marketers for NFL teams. (Note the Pittsburgh Steelers’ clever use of the app to spot-the-differences puzzle.)
Multiply the intensity. #FlyEaglesFly #layout A photo posted by Philadelphia Eagles (@philadelphiaeagles) on
Can you find all of the differences? There are nine! A photo posted by @steelers on
Juice. #StrongerTogether #Layout A photo posted by Miami Dolphins (@miamidolphins) on
Our Director of Customer Success, Blaire Kotsikopoulos, even took the app for a spin featuring some behind-the-scenes shots of our Customer Success Mavens!
#instagramlayout is fun! #gamechanger
A photo posted by Blaire (@bkotsiko) on
Ready to give Layout a try? Download the app for iOS devices here! According to the Instagram blog, Layout will be available for Android in the coming months.
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