(Image source: Ubergizmo )

 

BY SUZANA DALUL

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

 

Instagram occupied the headlines for more than a week and now has another reason to celebrate. The app that is not even 2-years-old recently hit its 40 millionth user. TechCrunch reports :

 

“Since the launch of its Android app, Instagram’s user base grew from 30 to 40 million. That’s over 1,000,000 new users a day.”

 

The app, even embraced by president Obama, can probably thank not just the press coverage, but Android users for its growth. Tweaktown explains , the power of the Google’s operating system should not be underestimated:

 

“… Android users can't be ignored by app developers. Most of the new users probably came from the news of the acquisition and Android users going onto Google Play and downloading it like it had always been there”


But not everyone is rejoicing for Instagram. NPR reports some users were disappointed by the changes made.

 

“Instagram's new ties to Android and Facebook have not been universally popular. The Facebook deal, in particular, led some users to announce that they would be leaving the photo-sharing community and deleting the app from their phones.”

Others, however, worry this is just the next tech bubble about to burst. A writer for the Guardian expresses his doubts:

 

“A company with no revenues and barely any staff gets acquired for a billion dollars? It has to be a bubble, doesn't it?”

Nevertheless, Venture Beat thinks the photo-editing and sharing service has found a formula for success.

“The photo sharing app may not have a legitimate revenue stream yet, but it has stumbled upon a secret to crazy fast growth. It proves that users are far more valuable than actual revenue.”